Advice on whether to repair 2015 Impreza or buy used car

[Willie_Williams]

My 2015 Subaru Impreza has just been diagnosed with a "cracked" radiator leading to a ruined engine (which now has a mixture of coolant and engine oil). Our very reliable repair shop estimates the engine and radiator replacements cost to be ~$8K. We are agonizing over whether to go ahead with the repairs or to buy a used car. The Impreza has ~85K miles on it. We found a 2014 Honda Civic with just 37K miles on it for $12.5K. That's the best dependable option we've found, though we just started looking. I'm leaning toward having our Impreza repaired because (1) it'd be cheaper (in the short run) and (2) we wouldn't have to go through stuff like getting new insurance, registration, title, etc. But I'm of course also concerned with how many miles a new engine and radiator would buy us. Have any of you had engine replacements, and if so, how satisfied were you with that decision?

I'm 79 years old, my wife 74, so we probably won't be driving for that many more years (though we're in decent health). But we'd of course hate to face major car problems with the Impreza in year or two. (We're also financially marginal, with little income and meager savings. ) If any of you can offer advice or things to consider that I haven't mentioned, I'd be appreciative.

Also, I feel guilty that this happened. The car overheated a week ago returning from the airport (20-minute drive), and I pulled over and let it cool down, then drove it the few blocks home. There'd been no "Check Engine" light or any temperature warning indicator. (The 2015 Impreza doesn't seem to have temperature meters; only that blue thermometer when you start up that disappears after you've driven a bit. I never saw a RED thermometer.) I drove it a couple of times after this to the dog park (5 minute drive), then drove to the airport again to pick up my wife. Like the first time, it overheated (steam spewing from under the hood). We had it towed to the repair shop and got the bad news the next day.
Thanks,

- Willie

 

[bmart]

Option for a used engine should be much cheaper, if you like the car.

 

[Willie_Williams]

Thanks, bmart. Did you replace engines in all 5 of those cars, and get those miles after the replacement? Impressive. And confidence-inspiring for if we decide to do the engine replacement.

 

[bmart]

No engine replacements. All stock miles...spread out across them all!

 

[draganm]

sorry to hear about your troubles Willie.One big problem with new cars is they do not tolerate any overheating, the Aluminum just expands way too much and the head gasket blows. water in the oil means highly likely the bearings were damaged, instead of just head-gasket repair.
I do think a radiator failure at 85K miles is really pathetic, my 2006 impreza has 252K miles on it and original engine and radiator.
AFA the "new engine", is it new from factory, or re-built by some company, or a wrecking yard engine (new to you).
if it's brand new engine from Subaru, i would go that way. If it's the other 2, they will come with a 6 or 12 month warranty typically and it's a roll of the dice on how long they will last.
Also, are you using a shop that specializes in Subaru's, or a general "do it all " shop? for something like this, i would want specialists who live and breathe subarus every day to handle this. NOT necessarily a dealer though