To buy or not to buy an rx needing a rebuild?

[Paradox]

I\'m looking for opinions. I\'ve wanted an RX-7 for the past 10 years and am finally in a position to own one but know very little about them from a practical perspective. I\'ve been looking around ebay, piston heads, the forums here and so on.

Currently on piston heads (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/90654.htm) is a 1993 rx for £1500 that needs an engine rebuild according to the ad. I seem to remember reading somewhere on the forums here a suggestion that you pick up an rx cheap that needs a new engine because that way you know what you\'ve got under the bonnet (can\'t seem to dig up the post at the moment).

I have a couple of questions:
* Is £1500 a sensible price for an rx needing a rebuild, not cheap enough to suggest other problems, not too much?
* Is <£3k realistic for a rebuild. I\'ve seen similar values elsewhere, but are there extras that I\'m likely to need that won\'t be in that cost?
* How long is it going to be off the road for a rebuild?
* Just because I\'m not really a fan of red, anyone know the rough cost for a decent respray?

[RobbieRX-7]

I think £1500 is a good price for that. £3k IS a realistic price, you could prob get it street ported included in the price. Respray will cost about £1000 -£1500 (depending on colour metalic or non metallic) including engine compartment whilst engine is out