Run away is right - I'm at the end of a year long project getting a 1998 XC back on the road. Its not worth it in the long run, and its not something I'm going to be repeating in the future. If decide to keep the car I might get my money out of it, but the laws where I live (NH) made it very difficult and very expensive to get this car back to the point where I can get a reconstructed title. The last hurdle is the safety inspection and it will finally be on the road.

Here's some stats:

1998 XC - nearly every option, all mechanicals fine and working, 88,000 miles
Purchased for $6000 - rear end hit, mostly cosmetic damage to sheet metal (some frame damage in rear cargo area)
Frame work: $1000
Parts: $500 (glass, bumper, turn signals - all from salvage yard)
Body work & paint: $1500 (this was a low price from a buddy who's brother is in the business, it had over $17,000 worth of damage according to the adjuster's report)
Tires: $300
Reconstructed title expenses: $250
Labor: (more lost weekends sniffing bondo than I care to remember)

I'll be putting up a web site outlining the whole process, with pictures, invoices, prices, and all the other details.

Having taken over a year to do this and still not being done, I think you'd be better off staying away.

I'll sell you mine now that its finished if you want it for $9,000 though :-).