2004 w/194K miles and oil leak(s)
 

Hey guys, I would like to get your thoughts on my car. I am the second owner, had it since 64K miles and it's been a great car for me. over the past 10 months it has sprung two major oil leaks costing about $350-400 each to get it fixed. Well as with age and time, it's getting more, and I just took it in and had the mechanic show me the new leaks, it's got one apparently at the head gasket, and another at the junction of the transmission and engine area. I've put about 2 quarts in it over the past 2 months. I had the transmission drained and refilled 1 month ago, and well, tranny started slipping on me especially at downshifting (automatic). The slippage has gotten better over the past 2 weeks or so, I do have hesitation that its a sign of needing a new transmission. I just put brand new tires, and well except for the engine and transmission, everything works well, sunroof, heated seats, radio.... I mean, I'd like to keep it running at least another 6 months or year if possible. I'm in residency, and literally won't have time (nor money) for at least a few months. Anyway, should I seriously start considering a new car at this point or keep monitoring the oil and drive it until it literally doesn't drive anymore (and not sure how long that could be).

You can usually pick up a Craigslist special for under $1k, it might smell like cat piss but if it gets you from A to B that's all that matters. Sounds like your G is on the verge of catastrophic collapse due to neglect and age, a RUNNING vehicle will sell, a NON RUNNING vehicle probably will not.

Buy the cat piss junker, sell the G, once you are established in your field of work buy something nicer and newer, the G unfortunately is not a vehicle you want to own if you aren't able to afford the repairs.

Bar's Stop Leak products for the engine oil leaks. Look'em up and determine which is best for you. Lucas is another I'm a fan of. There are additives for oil leaks as well as slipping transmissions. I personally have had good results, not on the Infiniti (no leaks :cool:) but on other cars, not that it matters. I would call both these and any other company that makes a product that sounds promising and tell'em your problem. Get a tech on the phone.
When you had the fluid replaced recently, friction material (worn internals) was replaced with new oil, not all of it but most as the transmission drain plug obviously resides at the bottom of the transmission pan and guess where the heavier-than-transmission-oil friction material collects?
I'd drive like a granny until I selected a product for the trans and the engine oils and continue to do so after application for a while.