'97 Lumina Engine DEAD! Now What?

My '97 Lumina's 3.1 L engine bellied up bigtime today, leaving the world with 275,600+ miles. The mechanic says it must be replaced. He suggested a rebuilt engine. My brother suggests buying a "drop-in" engine purchased from salvage with all pumps attached and 'dropped-in.' Which is the better way to go?

Is it reasonable to replace an engine in a car with 275,000 miles? (Transmisison rebuilt last year.)

Any help or info you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I've heard a rebuilt engine is the better way to go. Buying an engine from the junkyard is a risky choice since you cannot determine the quality well enough. Here in Houston, the Lumina 3.1L rebuilt engine is about $1100 which is not too expensive.

I think it depends a lot on what you want from it. Is the body good enough (and the rest of the car) to justify $1100 for an engine? We bought a 98 lumina with 88,000 miles on it that had a blown engine. I called every junk yard within 50 miles and prices for a used motor ranged from $400 to $950. I got the $400 one as it had the least miles on it. When I called, they said they didn't have one in stock. They took my number though. An hour later he called me and said they just towed one in and could have it out for us in a couple of hours so we went and got it. It was in a 2000 monte carlo that some kid had just wrecked...no engine damage though! He got rear ended pretty badly but the engine was great with 43,000 miles on it. I've put about 7,000 miles on it so far and it runs GREAT! It hasn't used a drop of oil and is nice and quiet. It was an easy switch to drop it in and hook everything up, and has worked out well for us.

I'd say it depends on what you are willing to invest. Call around and see if you can't find a good deal. Be sure to specify how many miles you are willing to have on the engine you are buying and ask what it came out of. I priced engines with less than 60,000 on them and told them I preferred less than 50,000 if possible.

i am sell my car lumina 96 run but only need change headgasket $1000