8 Days to Decide to Fix or Replace!!

So I have a fuji finepix e900 camera that i've had for three years. it recently failed, causing overexposure problems and "white lines" through the pictures, an occasional problem with this model and the e550. unfortunately, this failure has been recent - 8 days before I depart for a study abroad program in Australia. I obivously want to have my camera setup for the GBR...

So, now that the camera model is old, I can just get another one to fit my fine housing for $160 online... while I've always wanted to upgrade to DSLR, or at least try something besides Fuji, I don't really have the money as a college RESEARCH biology student, and i couldn't upgrade to DSLR really without going into debt... so if i buy new, the only other option is a different point n shoot and housing.

so talk economics to me. housings are expensive, but there's a chance the new e900 camera could fail, too. i got three years out of the last one; should I look for new camera model and housing now, or continue to buy the finepix e900 for the fine housing I already have?

Help!

Olympus makes some decent DSLR's and housings that won't bankrupt you. Your question really depends upon what you can spend. If you're looking under a grand....you're probably stuck looking for another P&S. You also might cruise the want ads here and on other sites. There's some gear being parted out and you might find a good deal on the cheap.