Can you confront #3 about their lie (Print this thread) and please share with us their reaction.
I would go with #1 or #2. $2000 is not a lot to spend on a car that has LOTS of life left. You prefer to spend $20,000 on a new car? You said your car otherwise is in great shape. I loved my 1999 Accord until I crashed it.
Keep the car.
Pay the $2000.