i agree u say you are going to spend 700 - 1000 changing the motor and trans on your car but the body on your car is mint or close to it from what i can see that 600$ car is a pos compared your car your going to dump at least 500$ just to get that thing certified and e-tested also a crap load of your time and you will still be driving around in a multi color car ive fixed up alot of rust buckets in my time and i can tell you its not worth it. stick with your car put the motor and trans in it. its alot harder to find a car with little or no rust . compared to finding a car with a good motor and trans
i’d say your about the same level of work i have to do, except your car probably has alot less little problems than mine… I’d say you could make a nice little car for not too much money.