Short version: 1992 SSEi, 220K, exterior some plastic damage and faded, interior seats cracked and torn. $1500 in recent repairs, immediately followed by a spun main or rod bearing.
Do I find a salvage block and repair it? Labor alone will be $800.
Do I research other motors that would fit and get an upgrade, S2 L67, S3 L67, LX5, L47?
Do I replace the whole car and wind up with $5k -$10K of new debt?
As part of replacing the whole car, the current one would become a parts donor, with a low mileage M92, new radiator, and other good parts, fenders, lights, hood, glass, doors, fixable seats, etc.


Other cars in consideration to replace the '92 SSEi are:
2000-2004 SSEi or GXP
2001-2004 Aurora 4.0 or 3.5
1999-2002 Lexus LS400, LS300, ES300
1999-2002 Subaru Outback
2000+ Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, etc.

Ask away.

wow.... ur best bet would prolly be to part it out... is it the original motor and tranny? with that many miles parts will start going out left and right.. I have a 1992 SE.. and ive put about $2200 into her recently.. These older cars with nickle and dime u to death. How is the undercarriage? lots of rust? check the engine cradle(especially where it bolts to the unibody) just look the car over closely to see if she is worth putting more into

I agree that the constant drip of money going out the door can be very exhausting and frustrating. On the other hand, a car payment and 4 to 5 figures of multi-year debt with interest are not exactly a financial success plan. Tough call.

Does anyone have a source for 3.8 internal parts? Is there a stroker kit for the L67?

Yea, uhhh. Series 1. Not many "moddable" parts to go on it.

If you can, find a Series 2. It'* gonna be difficult to wire in, but it will give you more options for modding.

Of course, I'm going to steer you towards the 2000-2005 anything SSEi, along with the foreign things too.

So, part it out if you can. Strip it down to the metal shell, and scrap it. If you can't haul it, put an ad on Craigslist. You'd be surprised at how many people will knock your door down for a free shell if they have to haul it away.

Been thinking lately about how cool it would be to get a 2006 5.3L LS4 w/ either 4t65e-HD or 4t80e to replace the 3.8sc.

The reality is $ choices are leaning toward rebuilding the motor. There really isn't much rust, barely any, on it. I wish I could figure out if a Series II / Series2 SC engine / 4T65e-HD trans, with matching PCM/ECM and wiring harness will bolt into the place of a Series1.

Any photos out there to show for sure one way or the other?