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In that you've already thought through some of the issues and your preferences, I'd say there's no downside except the need for wear and tear type repairs that you wouldn't have right away with a new car and the whole "trade-in" value thing which I've never bought into -- but which some might, especially if absolute reliability over a period of years is crucial to you. I went through a similar (self-examination) process in that I was interested in a large, powerful wagon with a manual transmission. With that last requirement, my options were even more limited and more expensive than yours. In any case, I enlisted Ross Converse in converting a running very high mileage '96 965 I found for $3000 -- known history and body, frame,interior,all electronics were in very good shape. Conversion was to a 2000 Ford Explorer engine with 35,000 miles, performance cam, new T-5 tranny, Promax short-shifter, stainless 2 1/2" exhaust, Monroe air shocks in the rear, all new suspension bushings. There were a few complications, some additional costs (new tires, battery,etc.), mostly time... but I've now had the car since April and put on a couple thousand miles. My gross costs at this point are still under $18,000. The only "major" thing I'm looking at, which I suppose was predictable and probably has nothing to do with the conversion (since the pre-convert vehicle had over 200,000 miles)is that I may need to invest $1000 to replace the heater core. Again, if you're contemplating an automatic -- what can you compare such a car to -- for a wagon -- an A-6, a MB 320, BMW 5-series, a Dodge Magnum, a Cadillac SRX (some offer only automatic trannies). Well...just some thoughts... good luck to you, let us know what you do. Oh...one last thing... pick a pre-1996 vehicle and you play it safer on emissions, though with an automatic tranny (since that's what the Explorers/ Mountaineers ECU's are set up for) you're even OK going with a '96-'98 960 or S/V 90 -- and there are some out there with blown engines waiting for you!
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