You cannot get R134 refrigerant, so it is only worth buying if the sealed system is perfect. $550 is high for something that a new one will be a different size and won't fit in the hole either.

How old is the fridge? What shape is it in, other than needing a new top grate? Have you seen it plugged in, and operational?

I can tell you, our first SZ was still going strong at 26yo when we sold that home. The SZ we bought for the new home, where we gutted and renovated the kitchen, is now over 10yo…and has never needed a repair.

If the unit is operational, and all it needs is a new top grate, for $550 I’d jump at it. SZ maintains parts for decades. You should easily be able to acquire the grate. Just call the company. SZ has superb customer service…best in the business.

One thing to note…should the fridge be more than 15yo, it will be less energy efficient than newer models.

Walmart sells 12oz cans of 134a in the auto section

darbuka: "How old is the fridge?"

The photo shows a date of April 2005!

I'd check the parts list to make sure you really have all the parts you need. The louvered grill appears to be part #6LG3611. Part LG3611 is on ebay but I don't know if it's the same. New it'll cost more than the refrigerator.

@wdccruise, yup, I missed the April 2005 date. Ancient eyes.

A new grille may be more than the $550 asking price, but the OP will have a working SZ for many thousands less than a new SZ.

An older SZ, will outlast any new LG, Samsung, GE, or the like.

We had a new evaporator coil put into our 27 year old SZ with R134 refrigerant last year. Access to R134 to recharge it was not a problem (not even outrageously expensive), so I don't know where "you cannot get R134" comes from. They don't make it any more, but it seems there's plenty around.

Ours was about 12 years old when we bought it, it's the best refrigerator I've ever had. No way I would have paid the new price, so I was thrilled to find one at a tenth the new cost. Even with the one repair it's needed it's still a real bargain.

For a Subzero that old....I'd offer to haul it away for them FREE.

I'd post on https://www.reddit.com/r/appliancerepair/ Sometimes knowledgeable, professional appliance repair people chime in and they have good advice.

You should price out what various repairs will cost and whether you can afford them.

My parents just replaced the 26 year old subzero in the home they purchased 12 years ago. They probably could have sunk more money into it for a repair. But, they are in their 80s and my dad lovingly thought - "If I go first, I don't want mom to have to deal with future repairs because of the way this is built int I'll get a new one that will outlive both of us."

Personally, it may not make the move, 20 plus year old appliances (even the best) are a risk. Depends on how much of a risk you're willing to take. Me I would take a chnace on a new fridge beofre going to the troublle of dragging a used one across town and having to make repairs before even being able to use it. Especially as my primary fridge.

If I had to bet, I'd bet that the 20 year old SZ will outlive a new Korean or Chinese fridge with lower total cost of ownership, if only because repair parts are available. They are designed with repairability in mind, like good qulaity commercial refrigeration equipment that lasts many decades.