[thstone]

Assume that the engine is toast.

Assume that everything the seller says is a lie unless it is backed up by paperwork.

Assuming its a simple and easy fix is a fools errand - you don't think that the owner or the owners brother or the owners mechanic didn't check it out? Of course they did. But selling a car with an "unknown" engine problem sounds better than selling a car with a known blown engine. In this equation, the seller is shifting all risk to the buyer. How lucky do you feel?

Also, beware all of the other things that can/will be wrong that you can't check because the engine doesn't run; power steering, air conditioning, electrical, transmission, cooling system, drive shafts, etc, etc, etc. I bought a Boxster with a blown engine for $3K that the seller swore had nothing else wrong with it. It cost me an additional $1,500 to fix all of the other things wrong beside the engine. Be sure to plan for the unexpected into your budget.

Now, you can think about how to proceed.

A salvage engine will run $2000-$5000 depending on miles and how good you are at finding a deal. You should be able to do the engine swap yourself.

Good luck!