[Lukesportsman]

The only thing I will differ on potentially is the new value. A lot here depends on your expected ownership. I'd rather have a "fresh" $20k car than a $17k unknown car. Just because the $17k car doesn't need an overall yet, its still somewhat a dark horse. If you can buy it right and plan to keep it for years, then this may still work out in your favor.

Just get good PPI's and don't go in blind. Know what your getting into and it could be a fun/learning experience. If you get caught blind sided, that is when it hurts. If this didn't make some sense to many of us here, we wouldn't be restoring long hoods or all the other fiscally silly things. Just don't kid yourself and do it right so you won't continue to have issues and end up hating her in the long run. You'll have a low $20k 3.6 car that should be dependable into the distant future. This of course is assuming your getting it quite cheap.