[avendlerdp]

From your description it does not need a full engine rebuild just a reseal and perhaps some other minor work. That's a lot less money than a full re-do. If it is was my opportunity, I would buy it for as little as possible, rebuild the trans, reseal the engine, and re-do the seats, then drive it. That car is worth enjoying as a neat "beater" but not as a resto candidate. 100k miles is not that many so it's got a few left in it without a total teardown.

When the motor takes a dump, sell the 7r cased 2.4 for a core, buy a used 3.0 and toss it in there. Good times. Low$$ Keeping that car numbers matching is not worth it in my opinion. We all know they made a lot of T's and they don't seem to be worth more #'s matching unless they are some 100 point resto and even then it's still all about the S's and E's...