I just brought the Head gasket kit,new bolts ,oil kit,antifreeze and a prayer! I'm going to give this to a family mechanic..that I don't know..! Would it be better to try and repair it myself?
You don't sound like you have a chance in hell to even make the right decision on who to pay to fix your car yet to do the work yourself.
I'd go to the dealer and work out a deal. They are all slow on work and it's time to bargain with them. At least you will get the work done right and have a warranty. Sorry to be so blunt about it, I just know when people have bad luck with cars.