But I LIKE it, I really do!

I drive a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. It's a great car, just the right size for hauling a big snotty dog, groceries, luggage, plants, etc., with all-wheel-drive to get me through the un-plowed Toledo/SE Michigan roads in the winter, and somewhat okay gas mileage (22-25 currently, but I'm using a fancy fuel additive that should improve it soon). It's comfortable to drive, it's pretty, and even as a used vehicle it got decent reviews from Consumer Reports.
But I apparently got a bad apple. I bought it in November (and still think I got hosed on my trade-in), and in February it started making some crazy noises. I could hear a funny growling/rattling, a low-pitched whine like a jet engine, and sometimes a high-pitched squeal like metal-on-metal. Not happy noises! So I visted my neighborhood Midas and asked them to listen to it. They hoisted it up and stood underneath to determine where the noises were originating... the rattle/growl sounded like the tension arm on the serpentine belt, they said, but the other two were the tranny.
Oh god, the T-word.
So off I go to Aamco... $2000 and 2 weeks later I get my car back after replacing some thing or other and cleaning metal shards out of my other thing. Drove the dog to the vet that same night... and there's the damn noises again! So... they fixed whatever they found was wrong, but it wasn't the source of the squealing/whining.
Back to the shop, and another week later (and no additional $$ thanks to a warranty on their work) I have a new bearing and no more squealing.
But the rattle is still there, because I never did have Midas order the new tension arm, what with one thing or another (like 2 grand in my tranny). And the last time I had my oil changed they tested my battery, and mentioned that I should get a new one soon. And now my fan is kicking on at strange times, and whirring sporadically like it's getting power surges or something.
I loved my old car, my little Mazda3 hatchback, but man did it suck even in the lightest snow. There was no way I could still drive it in the winter here. And I really DO like my Mitsi, but good god it's sending me over the edge!
I'm off to get a new battery tonight and see if that cures the surges with my fan. If not, I might head directly to the Honda dealership.