98 's are available with manual transmissions (I have a 98 T5 with
a manual) and are more common then 850's with manuals (in the U.S.).
Re-sell is pretty low and I think you could get a good deal on one.

Also, my wife has a 95 855 normally aspirated and opening the
two hoods and having a look will quickly show there are a lot of
obvious differences (look at all those check valves!). High
pressure turbos also have smaller displacement (for thicker cylinder
walls), forged pistons, sodium filled valves, oil cool spray for
piston bottoms, etc. Well engineered engines, they are. An after-market
design would not have all that. Engine swapping might miss a check
valve, or 10, unless it is a really good swap.

By the way, I'm not thrilled with my manual. The cluth chatters
in first gear starts and recently started a metallic moaning
sound. Removing and replacing a clutch is 10 hours labor and
labor runs $135/hour at local dealer ($90-$100 at independents) in
the area I live in (San Francisco Bay Area). Highways are often
stop and go on the weekends and we end up using the 855 for family
trips since it is just a pain to drive the manual in traffic. It does
go link stink though. Others here do report they love their manual
transmission cars, so I'm in the minority.