Yep, that's the nature of keeping an old cheap car on the road. Many repairs cost as much or more as the car is worth, and the value isn't increased by much if you pay for the repair. So, you either waste a bunch of time and effort and do the work yourself to save money, grit your teeth and pay a shop, or sell the car for next-to-nothing. Lose lose lose, none of the options make sense. But for me, on those warm summer evenings when I'm cruising with the top down, (and driving just fast enough that nobody can see the peeling clear coat and scratched paint and worn interior), it's worth the hassle.