It's one of the most stressful situations a car owner can face. You bring your vehicle in for a repair, and the estimate comes back at $1,500. Or $3,000. Or more. And suddenly you're doing math in your head: is this car even worth fixing? It's a genuinely difficult decision, and the right answer is different for everyone. But there's a framework that makes it a lot clearer, and it has nothing to do with emotion or gut instinct. Start With the Real Cost of Replacement The firs