Buying a used car but replacing the engine. Worth the buy?

First of all the car with 104k on it may run good and last for years. If the engine is bad it is not worth anywhere near $9,000. $3,000 is probably not enough to replace the engine even if you buy a used engine unless you are doing all the work. A new engine and installation is going to be at least twice your budget, probably more.

If you buy a used engine, it will likely have a lot of miles on it as well, so what does that gain you? If you buy a new factory or crate engine, it's going to cost you a lot more than 3K. If you want something fresh buy a low-mileage one. Keep in mind your own resale value if you decide to go with a higher-mileage/replacement engine car.

Plus a car with a replaced engine may cost you more money but does not translate into higher re-sale profit, it actually reduces re-sale value to have a replaced engine. Dodge this & Dodge that, but which year? I see alot of these with electrical issues. They look good but sitting in the yard or garage all the time broke down or turn the blinker on and the car dies and the lights on the dash stay on like a Christmas tree, what good is it. Need to research these yard art ornaments before buying.