If they engine is not healthy then why pay for what HE thinks is a healthy engine. If you have "plans" then why start with a completed project. You might as well start with a less completed car. Not knowing your plans makes it hard to give you good advice. If the car is 90% of what you want then go for it. I just don't feel the love from you about this car. I think you want a change from fwd to something rwd. Remember you asked for the feedback.