Don't do it for any financial reasons. It would be far cheaper to keep and maintain your current car. It is nowhere near 'run out'.
Other than that it is an emotional decision. If you have the extra cash and don't mind losing it in interest and depreciation, go buy whatever car you want.
Not a good idea to drive with it stuck there. Though it probably won't go into the engine, it could jam the throttle open (stuck gas pedal) or damage one of the sensors.
Best is to walk down to a hardware or auto parts store and grab a long flexible magnet to fish it out. Or remove the hose...
Because it fell in 476 AD (sorry, couldn't resist).
It did fall, just like the British Empire fell in the last half of the 20th century. The legacy and a few imperial footnotes of both continue to this day, but they alone do not constitute an empire.