Thanx so much. This was so helpful. I now have questions I can use when I call the dealer, and may, since I the drip was not a constant stream or constant drip, take the extra few days to try and find a qualified mechanic to give me another data point and estimate. I definitely intend to keep the car, and to keep it up mechanically, so I will get the work done.

Any tips in finding a mechanic?

Can I continue to expect things like this due to the age of the car? That is, I do try to take the car in for all its maintenance checks etc. and regularly get the oil changed; it seems to me that every time, I end up paying $1000 or more for some additional work on the car (on top of the service check). Is that typical?