I have a 2001 monte carlo 3.4l
186k miles

I took it to the dealership to have engine checked and was told...

Head Gaskets was leaking and needed ot be replaced and also the clicking a stuttering is do to the catalytic converter either going bad or dead?!? didn't explain really other then that the guy I talked to said the repair wasn't worth it on my car do to its age and mileage.

Checked a local auto shop and was quoted $1500 for repairs. The dealership said I would have to get new engine at 4500-5500.

I was wondering if it is worth it to get those 2 things repaired or just try to find another used car??

 

if you like the car totally worth it maybe do some other precautionary improvements while in teardown

 

If the worst case scenario is to get a new motor, those can be found for way less.

 

It depends completely on you and the car. I personally think paying over $1000 on a car that old and with that many miles is VERY variable (but the other problem is I am a big DIY guy).

If the leaking intake gaskets did not do damage to the bottom end, simply having the gaskets changed and a couple of oil changes and you could be all set. The 3100/3400/3800 engines are TOUGH little engines!

My old '94 Grand Am has a 3.1 (the 3.4 was based off the 3.1, same block, same basic motor). In October of '08 at 180K miles, it was confirmed I was having issues due to a blown head gasket. I changed the head and lower intake gaskets and upper motor mount and for good maintenance, plugs, wires and heater hoses. Fresh oil and coolant, changed the oil again after 500 miles (ensure all the crap in the motor is removed by such an early oil change). I was a little over $300 in materials and a bunch of my time.
I sold that car October of 2012 (four years later) with 215,000k on it!! Still runs great (but the body is rusting I had to repair a brake line or two and replace a steering rack).

Again, it's a crap shoot. I could have done all that work and have the engine blow up in a 100 miles. If you don't know how to or have the resources to do it yourself, that certainly ups the out of pocket cost. I think it comes down to how much more time do you hope to get out of her without issue for what you put into her.....