Background: '00 Forester, 36k miles. Tiny front-end hit poked through radiator, knocked off timing belt, damaged hood, fender, a light. Zero frame damage, airbags intact. Heads pulled - no piston damage. Complex interaction between Subaru dealer, machine shop, body shop resulted in multiple layers of profit and fees as the car was disassembled and checked - cost escalated and insurance company totalled the car. We bought it from insurance company with engine disassembled and damaged parts removed - frame entirely visible, therefore, and we found no damage at all.
Decision: Buy car from insurance company: $2,000 Valve job: $1850 at dealer Radiator: $400 Hood, fender, bumper cover, radiator, one light: $?? Repaint whole car in wife's non-Forester color choice (yellow): $$?
We drive cars till they don't go any more, so resale value is no factor.
Any suggestions on getting the required body parts? Since there is zero frame damage, I think my son and I will install them, then have the car painted.