Van trouble

Time to cut to the quick. The Dr. Lenny mobile rig is ill and not running properly. It seems to have a transmission problem and now the timing seems all howdt of whack. The debate is whether to spend a bunch of $ on repair or to buy a cheaper vehicle to get about and around. I like the space that the van affords, but it only gets 15 mpg and i can put the miles on it pretty quick. I know that i am not the only person with this trouble - but the homestead is not within walking distance of any of the normal necessities.