Magnetic GT, Advise on freshly crunched 94 Celica Options

[mickst8ler]

Hi,
I am new here... found the site after doing a google for Toyota Headlights. My Fiance owns a 94 Celica GT. Since I have know here... about 4 years... this car has had a yearly trip to the body shop. Of those 4 times, none of them have been her fault. Last Summer while visiting my parents, the girl next door backed into the front left hand side... damage wasn't to bad.... about $800 as I recall. I took it to a friend' body shop who repaired the damage, filled in the couple of door dings and covered the previos "7 different colors" of white with a new pearl paint job... all for about $1500. Not a bad deal since the neighborhood girls dad picked up half the bill. Now the Celica looked new again... until yesterday when our neighbor was backing out of their driveway in their oversized SUV and crunch! Same spot as last year only much worse. 5000lb SUV vs. Celica... not good. Anyway I just got a quote from a body shop that I have worked with before. They are expensive but do excellent work... They wanf $1996 to fix... includes replacing, front bumper cover, both left headlights, left fender, matching and blending the pearl. The damaging party wanted to pay cash, but I am affraid that once they get the quote they will want to turn it in to their insurance, which, in turn may decide to total the car because of it's perceived value... I am guessing. What will probably happen is that I will take the car back to my friend who repaired and painted it last year and have everything fixed for cheaper... of course passing the savings to my neighbors. What I am looking for here are possible recomendations that I should consider replacing the OEM parts with (i.e. projector beam headlights). Any thoughts?
--mick
Fort Worth, TX

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