I Need Your Advice

I need your unbiased advice. Really.

My car, heretofore known at The Bastard, is a 1997 Toyota Avalon with 164,000+ miles on it. A year or so ago, maybe 2 years, I spent about $6,000 getting some major issues addressed: new shocks, struts, engine mounts, air conditioning compressor, lots of internal "stuff," etc.

I did not do anything about the leather interior. Now, the front seats are in truly horrible condition. Cracked leather that goes beyond cracking and into slits all the way through. Ugly, painful when I'm wearing shorts, etc.

With the massive infusion of cash, I was told the car should last "a long time." It's comfortable, but not truly plush. It needs rear shocks, as evidenced by loud screeching noises when I go over bumps, especially in cold weather.

If I spent about $1,500 now, I could get the seats replaced with leather kits that, I've been led to believe, look very good. I could also get other cosmetic stuff done within the same $1,500. Essentially, it would look like a relatively nice, new car, with a few scrapes and scratches. The interior would still look worn, even with new seats, but it would not look terrible.

The question: should I invest the $1,500 in the hopes that I can make The Bastard last another couple of years? The transmission, though showing no signs of failure, could go at any time; I've done nothing to it. The brakes could fail, as I've never replaced the major components of the brake system. Various other components of the car could crater at any time. But I have no reason to believe any of them will not last.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Sell the monster and buy a new (or used) car, or keep it until it becomes utterly unreliable? I'm fighting new car fever, but I'm not sure it's an appropriate fight. I need someone else to think about this for me.