Do the math. New one costs 40 billion dollars. A used one in better shape may not be around for under 20 billion.
If you do the work yourself - at least the evaluation to whether the engine is ok --that is if the timing belt is not broke it should be still OK, meaning even the head is OK. As you said MIGHTneed it.(and it might not) Engines are swapable. Rusted out body is more of a problem.
Question yourself - why are you even looking at it? Do you have a desire to be strong in mechanical abilities or would you like to be able to try to do other things as well?(autobody, upholstrey) Any "gurlie" can drive and pay others to fix things. There is something about fixing your own that gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
It does not NEED paint right now, it does not need back seats right now. They come when you find them. I have lucked out many times"wheeling and dealing" and have gotten stuff for free which I could put to use.
I have learned other stuff along the way and can rebuild a car from the ground up, including upholstrey and autobody work. Painting is easy. Where are you gonna get the practice for free? I didn't have all the tool right off, but slowly acquired those as well.
Paint job. You could go for a sprayed autobodyshop finish - but if you end up driving the thing in the bush, the deer don't care what it looks like. I priced out the paint and reducers for one of my cars and found that I could buy Acrylic enamel in spray bombs for $2 apiece....so I just wanted to change the color from silver to yellow./// 14 cans later The car was repainted, no runs, no misses, an even shiny coat in yellow with a store full of touch up paint should I need it (whenever that might be). That stayed on the car until I sold it 5 years later. I don't care after it is gone. Proper prep is the key. Painted a section here, a fender there and in a week or so had it done. Would do it again. No wash up of equipment. Sweet.
Put it this way...what else you got to do. Answer questions on Yahoo answers which ain't worth the paper you wipe your butt with? Or play video games(just as useless)
