I say if you aren't willing to fix it, just drive it into the ground.

I would suggest looking at this in a calm, non-emotional manner. First off, the Corolla and the Crown Vic are two different cars. Don't blame one for the shortcomings of the other.

Just considering at the Corolla, how bad has it been? You bought a 20 year old car with a book value of $2,400 for something around $1,000. You have driven it for 6 months. You had to pay $200 for a new radiator. So about $1,200 for six months or $200 a month so far. That is really not all that bad. Plus you are saving something on insurance (compared to a new car). In my younger days I would just spend the extra $800 +/- for the new water pump and hope for the best.

But you want something that is rock-solid reliable, something that will not break down. Driving 20 year old cars is not the way to realize this goal. They are always a gamble.