re: Rains it pours. Ramsey debt snowball and a dead air conditioner. Updated page 3

Hurricane Gustave smashed in the top of my 15 year old compressor.....fan motor and grille. First AC repair guy on site says it's too old, I can't fix it, you have to replace for five grand. I say no thanks, call the next guy. He looks at it and says, here are the motor specs, go to X place and buy a new one...call me when you get it and I'll put it in for $200. Motor cost $150. I banged the grille flat w a maul and hit it w some PlastiKote spray. And I'm a mere female. Unit is still running today, house has a new owner and compressor was not an issue in presage inspection.

Go find an AC contractor without a fancy truck, big office, or tv commercials. That compressor will prob work fine for another 8-10 years, provided that you are maintaining it properly.
Fixing things is almost always the better option. Mechanical systems aren't designed to be disposable, unlike so many other things in today's society.