Help a waffler decide to keep or replace 12 year old car

Keep it. Carry only liability and towing on it, and teach your wife to drive a stick so she can use it in an emergency.

Take mama shoppin’!
Cars cannot give you the same level of happiness as a good woman. Or the same level of pain as a mad one.

I agree with texases, the safety consideration with the kids is the most compelling reason. There is NO guarantee they will always ride in the Rav. Likewise, you the driver have a responsibility to your family to drive safely in a safer car for their sake. It’s decided, we will spend your money one way or another.