Take it to a good mechanic, and just ask for a comprehensive evaluation on what will need repairs within the next year, and how urgent the repairs are, and an estimate on how much it would cost. How are the tires? How are the brakes? How's the radiator? The engine itself? Does it burn oil a lot? How's the exhaust system looking, and is that under any warrantee ... Then, sit down, figure out if any of it is stuff you could do yourself, and if you would be better off, financially, getting a new vehicle. Remember, every car gets to a point where keeping it going costs more than the car is worth. And even if you fix everything, you'll still have a 15-year-old car.