My beloved '90 240 wagon with M47 (165K miles) was just nailed by a careless, thoughtless driver overnight while street-parked in Queens NY. They hit the panel in front of the left front wheel and knocked the car six inches onto the sidewalk. They must've been driving a lowered car, because the panel is totally knocked in, but the lights/blinkers are fine. The trim and bumper cover are toast and the front grill was knocked off. I checked the tie-rod and front undercarriage - everything is as before: tight, no deformities. The car drives fine. Steering is tight with no vibration. Wheels are straight.

The assailants were stopped by my neighbors as they were about to drive away. They left a fake phone number, and the witnesses wroted down the wrong Jersey license plate number (the NYPD can't find the plate). I have no collision insurance.

This care might as well be worth $1million: I put my heart and soul into her: learning mechanics, replacing the rear shocks/springs, replacing the fuel pumps, water pump, timing belt, hoses, tune-ups, etc. I had great plans with new rotors/pads, replacing front struts.

Do I get it fixed? How much would the body work cost? Should I just drive a really banged up car? I could buy another 240 and use this as a parts car, but manual 240s are hard to find. I need to vent, and I'd welcome your thoughts/considerations! Thanks. Instantcrow