Is this 97' STO a good deal for parts?
 

I need some advice:
I have a Red 91, 147k miles, 1.6L, with an open blown up diff
(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7...02318ms.th.jpg
http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/1...c02317x.th.jpg
http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/1...c02319e.th.jpg
). And I found this 97' STO with front end damage but still starts and runs for $1500 ( http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2362571044.html ) He agreed to $1050. The vin is JM1NA3535V0737905, and I know that it does not have a Torsen, since none of the STO's came with that option. A torsen is what I ultimatly want but I was willing to take a 7' open diff at a good price to get my car back on the road. If I got the 97' , another option would be to swap the whole drive train engine to the diff as well. What could I sell off of the car to recoupe some cost?
Lots of what ifs?
What would you guys do?

If it was me I'd just use that money to buy a Torsen set.

Why fuck around with buying a car for $1k to have to turn around to part it out to make back some money and in the end you're still without a Torsen.

Check eBay. There's probably at least a half dozen sets on there right now.

Tough call. You could swap the motor and drive line into your current car. You might be able to recoup some costs (headlight motors, interior bits, etc). I'd probably pick it up and upgrade your 1.6.

I wouldn't do this during the summer. Just buy a torsen and happily drive your car. Unless you can afford want to have a busted car sit on your driveway till winter.

It wouldn't be hard to recoup the costs. Sell the 1.6, interior, trunk, finish panel and wheels and you should break even. But you will spend a lot of time wrenching and it's no fun.

Thanks for the mixed advice ?... I know tough decision, but I like the idea of driving it as soon as possible, but I am also a tight ass! So that is why this option is appealing to me.

It seems like a no brainer to me. If you want to go torsen you're going to need the entire rear end anyways (driveshaft, differential, axles, bolts, etc). Something like that could easily run in the $600+ range. Keep the motor for a future upgrade (it's an easy swap). Sell the rest.

I'm certain Hustler or Pusha would be more than happy to help you with that...

- L