1996 Honda Civic Mechanic says alternator needs to be repla

Hello:

First, wow, what a great service. Just found it in a search looking for information about replacing the alternator on my car. Here's my story:

My car was making a high pitched noise so I took it to the auto repair place across the street. FWIW they have been very good to me, checking my car before long trips on a few occasions over the last couple years and the only thing I think I ever paid them for was an oil change. This last time, I tried to insist that they let me pay them something since I'm not sure if I am going to do the repair they said I needed, and the guy refused, just asked that if I have it done, that I bring it to them.

They said that the noise was because the alternator needs to be replaced which would cost $470. I would prefer not to make any more major repairs to this car due to its age but I would prefer not to buy a new car until I absolutely have to.

My boyfriend says that (a) an alternator is not important -- provided I always stop the car on the top of the hill so I can get a rolling start -- poo to that.

My questions:

(1) My boyfriend tells me that I don't have to worry yet because the alternator light is not yet coming on. True?

When I start the car, the only one I'm not sure about is the orange "check" light which comes on for maybe a second when I turn the key then turns right off.

(2) My boyfriend also says that I could buy an alternator for $50 and it would be easy for him to install. True? (He works on his 2002 Saab -- which scares me but he seems to know what he is doing.)

(3) How long am I likely to be able to drive before the thing quits? I am unable to work and so probably drive only 5-20 miles most weeks and never far from home so I'm not worried if I get stuck and need to call AAA.

My concern now is that I would like to help with a dog rescue transport the weekend after Thanksgiving, driving from Cleveland to the Canadian border, maybe further, and am concerned that I will encounter problems. Is there any way to determine the likelihood that that would happen?

Thank you so much for your help and kind regards,
Suzanne Shaps