Paint it AND spend $300 to get 1) A full on detailing, which will wash/dry and clean the inside of your car and 2) New covers to the seats.
The trick to keeping an old car is to really maintain it towards the end of its life. A pain job, detailing and new covers will remind you of how much you love it and keep you driving it till the wheels fall off.
I’m with those who say to paint it.
You seem to indicate your hesitation is that painting it would cost a significant fraction of what the car is worth. I say - so what? What does the resale value of the car have to do with it?
I’m guessing the value of the car is probably in the $1000-$1500 range at that age. I’d rather paint the thing for $2000 and get another 6-7 years out of it than spend 10x that amount on a new car.
This is a case where the cars real value, to you, is likely FAR higher than it is on the resale market.
You’re probably right.
Before you spring for repainting it, give it a thorough going over with T-Cut and then polish it up.
I’ve always wanted to get an old car and have artistic people paint designs on it.
Now that’s a great idea!
Sell the car to me.