since youre "a woman who doesnt know anything about cars" ill tell you what you need to know to avoid this in the future.buy a honda or a toyota, they last much longer and wont crap out on you like american cars tend to do. if the warrantee has expired on the car you bought, theres really nothing you can do. an 8 year old dodge is just getting ready to start breaking down and costing you money.sell it, and get a civic or a corolla. you wont be disappointed.