A good friend of mine hit my parked '86 744 (I wasn't in it at the time). The point of impact was right on the front door pillar, between the fender and the door. There is minor cosmetic damage to the fender and door. More importantly, the door was bent along its horizontal axis and now does not close properly: the top third of the door seal does not contact the body. The door does latch, but it lets in a lot of wind and, when it rains, a nice amount of water onto my left arm.

She has insisted to pay WHATEVER it costs to repair (even after I showed her the estimates), and insists that we not involve insurance, partly because, she says, this will result in my losing the car (it would certainly cost more to fix properly than any insurance company would say it was worth).

So, here are my two options for repair (including parts, labor, tax):

- local Volvo mechanic (I use them occasionally): about $900, using scrapyard door/fender
- normal body shop (the kind insurance would send me to if my car was worth more than $2000): about $1700, by removing and repairing the busted parts

I got other estimates, but these are the basic options. Each option does not account for the possibility that the a-frame itself is bent-- neither place could say for sure they said, until the parts were off-- which would cost still more to repair.

My friend has left it up to me how to do the repair, and she is willing to pay for WHATEVER the cost is. Should I feel guilty getting the job done 'right'? Is using the scrapyard parts really such a bad idea? What if the a-frame IS bent-- Is that a huge deal (it can't be by much, and the volvo mechanic thinks it isn't)? I realize that the accident was in no way my fault, but should I be asking a friend (admittedly, who can afford it) to pay more than my car is worth just to get it back the way it was?

I welcome your advice.

FYI, The car is a non-turbo 1986 744GLE with 181k miles. I have owned it since 108k. It is in great shape, and the engine runs beautifully, with no real leaks (maybe slight from front seals). I baby it. With the ZF tranny, I get mid-20s gas mileage. I have used only synthetic oil and tranny fluid. I have put more money into the car since I bought it in 1999 than I care to admit, but still not enough to equal the cost of the crappiest new car. The problems with the car are as follows (this is literally everything known to be wrong with it):
- a/c works great, but compressor groans when operating. could be on its way out
- rear defrost works great sometimes, doesn't work other times
- needs new rear muffler (i just bought it but it isn't installed)
- will need new header pipe soon-- has small leak
- probably needs new IAC valve-- has minor idle issues in cold temps or when a/c is on
- accessory bushings look old and worn
- probably needs new engine/tranny mounts soon (I think I notice this because of the idle issue)
- body damage (by previous owner)= large (10-12") scrape on passenger side rear quarter panel (no rust)
- the usual assortment of door dings and pebble scratches
- dirty, faded old blue velour interior (but no stains or rips)
- two small dash cracks (the longest is 1.5", both are hidden from driver's view)
- springs/inserts are original, and can't last forever

I don't want to get rid of the car (I'm a grad student and can't afford a new one); is it worth fixing; is it worth the body shop prices?