What Would You Do?, With a dead fourth gen. Celica GT-S? Options

[Coomer]

What would you guys do with a dead fourth gen. Celica GT-S? Mine has a rod knock, but other than that(and a starter issue), it's a good car. It's a five-speed, loaded with every option, the body is in great shape, no rust or accidents from what I can tell, good brakes and suspension, etc.

The only real problem is the dead 3S-GE engine.

My options are:

1. Sell the car as-is for $4-500. Lose $1,500 or so on the whole deal overall, and not have a beater anymore. (So I'd have to buy one before the next winter rolls around, since my bro will be driving the other fourth gen.)

2. Buy a JDM 3S-GE, and pay someone to put in a new clutch and swap it in for me. I'd replace the timing belt while I'm at it. I'm probably looking at $1,000 minimum, but I'd have a nice beater that would be reliable.

What do you guys think? There's no way I could possibly do the swap myself. I'd get very angry very quickly and probably kill something.

[ghostdog]

swap it yourself. its a golden opportunity to learn how to do it. you've got until next winter to get the car running so you should be ok. besides if there are any major problems you've got 6gc members willing to drive up there I'm sure