1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager

Please help me out here if you can.

I have a 1998 Plymouth Grand voyager, it was a fine car, until the other day. I was going up the street & it totally lost power, I had it practically floored & it was going 20 mph. When I got to a safe place I pulled off. We took the oil stick out & smoke came out of the hole.

The engine was smoking a bit but only when running. Took it to the shop, they said it was the motor it was shot & needed a new one. But they didnt even look at it. They just said it was done, Probably the bearings & the cylinder may not be firing? ONe of them.

Anyway, sound about right? It has 125k miles on it, but I am just stunned the motor went just like that.

I am afraid to put a motor in it because I mean, its not worth it & a used motor will probably just nickel & dime me to death until it blows as well.

I am thinking a new car, maybe a 2002 or newer.

What do you think?