I'd get the estimate to fix it so you know what you are up against... It doesn't really matter what you think the van is worth, you have to think cost versus replacement.
If it costs $900 to fix it, you can't buy a new used one for that.... and even up to $2000, is the van fixed is better than a $2000 unknown car with it's own parts that are about to break? it sometimes still pays to fix it.
This is true...
I guess we could get it fixed, which means we'll have to charge it...Visa is another name for SATAN! ;-) Then drive it till Steve graduates and hopefully gets another job SOON!