"I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla CE with 162000 miles and a broken engine". Are you saying the head gasket needing replaced is the part about a broken engine? If this head problem keeps happening, then there is a reason for that. Most likely the head needs to be re-surfaced, and a good quality gasket put back on. It is possible the head cannot be re-surfaced if it is warped, and if so, you will need to get another head for it. As for the carbon build up, every time you change your oil get a can of Seafoam and pour the can into a full tank of fuel. The Seafoam will help keep the carbon from building up. Carbon build up is from usually bad fuel so you might try getting your fuel from another station.

Why not just have the head inspected and toss on a new gasket?

Shouldn't cost too much if you can find a decent independent shop.

Your estimate for the value of your car in running condition is far too high. Junk this one and get something with fewer miles (under 100k)

was told my 2002 3/4 ton gmc savana van engine has low compression, can it be fixed or need another engine

remeber getting a new engine involes luabour to put in which is more money

just get a new car

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla CE with 162000 miles and a broken engine. I was told earlier today that my head gasket is leaking, which has happened twice before already along with some other issues with intake valves and carbon buildup. I don't plan on having the engine repaired again since (being naive) I've already gone through 1700 dollars worth of repairs since I got the car over a year ago and the problem will just come back anyway.

So I'm left with two choices then: pay 2800 for a replacement engine, or buy a 2-3 thousand dollar used car once I have the money for it. My current car is in decent shape other than the ruined engine and would probably be worth about 3-4 thousand dollars if I get a new engine, but the fact that I've put a TON of money into it already with no improvement, AND the fact that I'm not very fond of it anymore for pretty good reasons may warrant a new car. However, all I could get is at most a 3000 dollar car, so whatever car I get WILL have problems of some kind or another so I don't know what to do at this point. The car is driveable right now but it will eventually become worse and die completely so I gotta do something about it soon. Any ideas?