Those guys gave some good advice... Buy a cheap daily driver and then put the rest into fixing up your 3k. I had a pearl white 95 SL as well and I would miss it like crazy if I didn't sell it to buy a VR4. I couldn't imagine driving anything besides a 3s at this point.
If I were you, I wouldn't get a VR4 as they are expensive cars to maintain. Parts, gas, and insurance will bankrupt you if you're going to school and driving it everyday. Plus the temptation to mod it becomes very high
You just gotta ask yourself how much you love the car and if you seriously would be able to prat with it. It doesn't sound like you have any engine problems, just cosmetic, so you're lucky there. The car will feel smoother and cleaner again after you put some time and money into it.