1997 Oil leak

This Sable has 75,000 + miles and has had an oil leak for three years (since about 50,000 miles) which drips down onto the exhaust when parked which smokes and seemingly could cause a fire. I have had numerous opinions about repair and ranged from that of a Mercury dealer quoting a cost in the $1,200 range for "resealing the engine" with NO guarantee, to independent repairmen who don't want the job. Pan bolts, etc have been checked and tightened many times. Is there a practical and reasonable solution other than replacing the car?? Is the possibility of a fire real??

Thanks