Chrysler Repair: cracked crankshaft, plymouth grand voyager, air conditioner compressor

Question
QUESTION: We were just informed that the crankshaft is broken on our 1999 Plymouth
Grand Voyager with 123,000 miles.  Apparently they don't make this engine
any more so we are looking at buying a rebuilt one ($4200), rebuilding ours
($5000), or purchasing something else.  At first glance the new ones seem
sooooo expensive.  The transmission was replaced at 45,000 miles.  Just put
a new air conditioner compressor and rear brakes.  Any thoughts about the
most feasible option?

ANSWER: kinda high  was that installed  did u call a dealer for it?I live in the Atlanta area I would be glad to look at it for u.

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QUESTION: Wish we were closer;  we are in the San Diego area.  Yes, the quoted prices were
installed cost by the independent repair shop.  Their manager had supposedly
spoken with the dealer to find out that the engine was no longer available.  He
really did not advise getting one from a junk yard as you never know its history.
Sound reasonable?
ANSWER: well i just spoke to my parts guy and I work at a dealer as we can still get long blocks from chrysler so i would call around. I think that guy is smoking crack.

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QUESTION: Thanks for checking.  I spoke with the service department of our local dealer
and was quoted $6400....and you thought $4200 sounded high!  This does not
seem reasonable given the age of everything else on the car, but since I really
don't know much about this subject and am anxious for your expert opinion.
ANSWER: the 4200 was for the parts only and the fact that u can still get a long block. The rest I would say was labor and other stuff.

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QUESTION: I'm not sure I understood your bottom line.  Would you suggest putting in the
new engine or scrapping it and strating with something newer?

Answer
What i said above was to tell u that u still can get the long block engine that u were told that u could not get.
The finances as far as what u want to spend thats up to u not me U haft to weigh in the factors of a new car payment vers fixing the one u have.