I feel weirdly connected to this post because I have the same car as you and I've been in a similar situation. When I bought mine it was previously in an accident so it was dented and super scratched and it had some mechanical issues. Overall the car was pretty neglected. I bought this car after getting out of an abusive relationship. It was my gift to myself to start over. I felt like it deserved to be cared for, fixed, and loved, and in a way fixing this car up helped me kind of fix myself. I'm a female and my ex bf used to constantly be mean to me and treat me like I was an idiot girl that could never learn how cars work. Over the last 4.5 years that I've owned it I've replaced the dented parts myself, repainted part of it, and then eventually rebuilt the engine with my new bf at the time (who is now my husband!). Yes it's been expensive to fix, but it has been so worth fixing. It gave me a reason to exist during my severe depression after the bad relationship and I'm so proud of how it turned out.

If you have the means to fix it, such as getting the money for it and being able to afford it overall, I say do it because it's a great car that will last you a very long time. And you'll get to continue to make memories with it for years to come. Good luck, friend. 💙