Crate Motor or Donor Car?

[Guest Anonymous]

OK,

 

I want to start buying parts for my hybrid, but have a very important question:

 

Do I buy a crate motor and tranny or go with a donor car and use it's bits and peices? I am fairly handy with a wrench and have access to all the tools I need.

 

The main objectives of this car will be:

 

1) Daily Driver (has to be reliable)

2) Do it Myself project

3) Decent Mileage

4) Good performance (quick, handles well, streetable, idles in traffic etc)

5) Not cost a bucket of money! (under 10K?!)

 

I am tired of trying to figure out EEC codes, and which one of a million sensors has gone dead on my current (1989 Taurus SHO) car. Something easy and cheap to work on, and that will give some performance too.

 

I love the look of the Z and think this is a good alternative to a Camaro or Mustang (Boring!) for about the same price???

 

Lemmee know your opinion!

 

Thanks guys!