The A/C in our vehicle is not blowing cold air.  Last year, we had it
tested and there were no leaks found, but after refilling the system,
it blew hot air again within a couple of days.  We took it in again
today and it was diagnosed as an evaporator core problem and we'll
need to have it replaced.  I would suspect that taking out the dash is
more than I probably care to take on myself.

At work, we were discussing A/C systems in automobiles and more people
than not expressed regret that once they started replacing one or two
components (the evaporater core being popular), that in the near
future other A/C components began to fail as well.  The regret was
that if they had it to do over again, once the A/C went, they would
have rather have either traded the car at that time, or just lived
without the A/C.

So the car is almost 10 years old and I'm at a bit of a crossroads,
balancing the cost of replacing the evaporator and anything else,
versus finding a new car.  Obviously, $900 or whatever the cost is to
have the A/C fixed is significant compared to what I might be able to
sell the car for and is less expensive than the monthly payment of a
new car.

But I wanted to ask those of you familiar with these cars for your
experience and advice.  Is the A/C fix something that I should
reconsider?  Is there anything else that I should have them do while
they have the dashboard out, considering that the car is almost 10
years old and this would be an opportunity in the event that you might
suggest something along the lines of, "if you replace component x, you
should also replace y, which is likely to go next"?

This is the first major problem that we've had, so I'm not "fed up"
with the car nor do I necessarily want to sell it (actually, I'd
rather not).  I'm just considering my options.

TIA,
Dave