# Fix or trade in

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan, xterra\
**Created:** [March 12, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142 "2014-03-12T05:22:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jen\_odd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@jen\_odd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jen_odd)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142/1 "2014-03-12T05:22:33Z")

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I have a 2002 Nissan Xterra, 121,000 miles and have a coolant leak in the intake manifold and head gasket. I am told it’s a minor leak now and to keep an eye on the fluids but should i have this fixed, or get rid of the vehicle? There doesn’t seem to be anything else wrong with the truck so i’m unsure of what to do.

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**Author:** ![dodge330](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dodge330](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dodge330)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142/2 "2014-03-12T05:33:36Z")

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If everything else is still good and you like the vehicle, fix it!

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142/3 "2014-03-12T17:53:04Z")

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The Nissan Xterra is a pretty good vehicle. I would have the coolant leak repaired because I’ve seen small leaks become large leaks very rapidly. If that happens…you could damage the engine by overheating it.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142/4 "2014-03-13T03:19:11Z")

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Unless it has other more serious problems, my vote is to fix it.

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**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-or-trade-in/84142/5 "2014-03-13T03:55:07Z")

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Agree. As with most cars, especially this vehicle, it’s about the condition of the body and other mechanics. Rust free, good transmission etc. and solid, go for it. Surprisingly, evaluating the body of a car is a perquisite to fixing many mechanical problems in older cars. As an example; if you have any inclination to thing it might not pass inspection or be unsafe due to rust in the next couple of years, walk away.