I think my car was already 8 years old when I bought it. I tried to keep it looking nice for awhile but she's had her fair share of dings since then. And two accidents (neither of which were my fault). Nothing has been majorly messed up but both of the bumpers have been squished in a little.

I've always driven small older cars, and none of them have "lived through" an accident major enough to require body work. It's always been an all-or-nothing deal - either the damage is worth more than the car, or it still runs so I just don't worry about it. I will probably have a panic attack the first time I have an accident in a vehicle that I couldn't just replace! Or...I'll keep fixing the Civic just because I love her dearly, despite everyone's advice to trade up She has as much sentimental value as any of my bikes.