Thinking about buying an 850 that needs a new engine

[wheelsup]

OK it's at home. Here is the damage:

$200 for car
$50 to pay off mechanic bill
$100 to title it
$130 to tow (AAA wouldn't tow without plates), didn't know that until after I bought it.

So $480.

I'm going to clean it up, take some pictures, and see if the wife is interested. It's got scratches throughout and the interior is a little worse off then I saw, plus they sawzawed the glove box mounting clip off to try and get in and retrieve the title. WTF! I'm not sure if that can even be fixed/replaced.

If anything for $480 it's got (that I need)
2 almost brand new tires
New radiator
Lots of spare parts like fuel pump, window motors, alternator, compressor, accessory belt tensioner (mine is making loud noises when cold) an extra BOSCH spark ignition coil thingy (those are expensive), MAF, the list goes on. So I think if I am willing to take off all the stuff I can use I will get my $$ back even if I don't replace the engine and drive it.

I wish the interior/exterior were in *just a bit* better condition because I wouldn't have any thoughts about not throwing in a good engine and replacing everything I can think of to make it a turn key car. I guess I'll see how it cleans up. Ones in really good condition in my area with 100k-120k miles on them go for around $2,500-$3,000 so I'm not sure it's worth the $$ to put an engine in. I might be better off scrapping it and buying one in really good condition as well, and using this car for parts.

[wheelsup]

Also wanted to say it's a 95, I pulled the codes and it came back with 5-2-2- and 1-5-3 in A2. That is for the rear O2 sensor I believe, so I'll need one of those. Overall better than I was expecting.

I tried to pull the mileage but they replaced the instrument cluster with a used one w/ 72,000 miles 6 months ago and the mileage report now shows 79,855. So that is inaccurate to say the least. It's estimated at around 150k.

[dcroad6624]

just finished an engine swap in my 96 850 wagon....it is not that bad of a job...if you need help le me know I will share the shortcuts I learned by doing it

[wheelsup]

Thanks man I'll get back to you...