If you want reliable, have him look into the 87-94 H-body cars. my 88 LeSabre needed LESS than $1,000 in repairs total in a seven year span that my family owned it. This includes tune up, and basic maintenance costs too. (brakes, air filters, spark plugs, 02 sensors, etc.) I say 94, because the Series I is slightly more reliable than the series II. You don't have to worry about failed gaskets anywhere near as much.

how much would it be to drop a junkyard motor in though...I would imagine about half of that.

we found a motor for $500, and was quoted 1000-1500 for the swap

:o $1000? I know it wouldn't cost as much with my truck because it'* older, but when I had the motor changed in it, it only cost $500 to buy the motor and have it switched.

I apologize if I am pointing out the obvious, but buying another car implies 1) re-registering, 2) paying sales tax and probably other hidden costs... even if the car you are buying is a tempo/topaz.

the complexity of the 4.0 v8 is far beyond the 3800

once again... ppl.. i did not post this about whether or not he should get a tempo... i posted about having a title posted publicly

You're right, Andrew. Sorry we got off topic.

I'll try and be the first to get back on topic

I would think that posting a title online is a bad idea, but maybe it doesn't matter since the vehicle is a Tempo or Topaz that is planning to replace your friend'* Rora which could probably be fixed for a fraction of the cost or at least would be worth fixing over buying said tempo/topaz. How did I do?