I bought my Regal for 500 bucks. I coulda put 500 bucks into it for a Maaco/earl sheib job, dumped another 500 into getting it running just right...and voilda, 1500 bucks and i've got a like new ride. But that's a whole 'nother story.
i spent $500 on my car!
what you should do is to to auctions and find cars that are like your but smashed especially in the back, and transplant the engine! hoping you find a good engine on a smashed car. that and i think this method is a bit cheaper.
i think i will go with the rebuilt engine...my car has never been in a wreck...i bought it new...it will have a warranty again after that...and then i will get more trade in value for in when i do that in about 2 years because of all the above mentioned...