need help to fix my stolen car

[Loc]

hello all. newbie here.

had a couple of quick questions. maybe you can refer me to old posts? or point me in the right direction?

i have a '84 Buick Regal Limited, 2 door. while at school at Ohio state, my car was stolen (part of campus is right by the ghetto). they punched out both locks on both doors (like it's that hard to lean over and lift the latch) and broke the steering wheel locks, and broke the left side of the steering column to access the gear and lever system to start the car w/o key. the they drove it till it ran outta gas and ditched it by the curb. then city of columbus charged ME $75 to get it outta the impound.

I got a quote to fix it at $1200. $400 for each door and $400 for the column. i can't pay that or even come close. i was thinking of bondo-ing the lock holes and installing keyless entry. then as a customization / dream i was thinking of taking off the door handles and bondo-ing those over as well.. so it'd be like a sports car. do they really make a system, like in the film XXX where an electronic system can open your door? anyways, a precursor problem is that i probably need new doors anyway - or need to fix my current ones from the rusting out at the bottom of the doors. i was going to have someone weld on a new section, but i'm not sure what do or where to go from here.

as for the steering column, i am using a stick to start my car. is there a way to prevent this from happening again? i know i should install a cut-ff switch, but what else can i do? what can i do to fix it? do i just bite the bullet and replace it?

thanks all for reading this and helping me out

-loc

[Hypsi87]

to do what you are talking about is going to be more expensive than to just get it fixed. Be careful using bondo to fill holes. It won't last more than a couple of months and you will always be able to tell it was done. The two times (now three .) That my car was attempted to get stolen. they broke my steering colum and such. Each time it costs the insurance co. about 1,300 dollars. I know 1200 is alot but if it means anything that is a good price.

[gn1220]

Go to the junkyard and get a pair of doors for $100 or so and get a non-tilt column for around $25. Pop the pins and replace the doors, a lot easier and cheaper than body work. Spend the money to have them painted to match.