Hard to say.

Many factors to consider.

Your location.

Make, model, and size of AC condenser.

Any warranty on condenser and compressor?

Post back.

More ridiculousness from the spammer above. The typical homeowner can't himself check any of those points.

At 7 years old, unit near end of life. Figure a new compressor buying you 3 years. Also compare efficiency new vs old (SEER of two units is a reasonable comparison)

You need to get estimates to replace the compressor. Don't get entire condenser/system replacement estimates at the same time - companies MUCH prefer to replace complete systems than repair individual components!

The OP is dated May 21, 2013. You can figure they got the decision settled sometime in the past 6 years ...

Darn it! Saw the most recent reply but didn't look at the original post date!

;)

Yea gotta watch that lol. There is another mini split guy who likes to revive these dead threads. I look at the date first most of the time just to make sure I am not commenting on something that was probably resolved in the last decade.