Whether or not it's worth "saving" depends on how much money you have
;) and how much money you make (among other things).

Nothing you mention is what I would consider a problem worth discarding
the car for.  Brakes are a regular maintenance item.  At 100k,
replacing the struts (front) and shocks (rear) is probably abuot right,
a burnt wiper motor is not a big deal and I assume you need to replace
the axles because of torn boots (which itself is not a big deal), and
common at your mileage.

So all in all - your problems (other than tranny failure) are par for
the course.  Not sure what you mean by steering column rattle - is it a
"trim" type rattle, or a linkage rattle (worn bushing for example).

The tranny is the big one - and you can pick up a working used auto
tranny from a junk yard and have it installed - I would trust that over
a dubious rebuild.

As for cost-  it all depends on where you go and what parts you use.
Call some local mechanics and get some estimates.

Cheers,
Nirav

A shop may charge

1. 2500
2. 400
3. 300
4. 500
5. 150
6. 600

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/

Correcting those issues is 'sound investment' if u keep the car for 'next five yrs'

The engine condition: cam chain/guide, injector, coilpack, starter, alt, waterpump ... might dictate the economics. Typical change/repair needs arise after 150k

Its costly to fall in love into good looks :) I guess youre better off with a younger [mile-age] max -or- older which has most of these things already addressed

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/

How long are you going to keep the car?

20K miles.  No way.  Bail out now.

60K miles.  Sure.  Why not?