97-98s are running about 8-10k.
Get a 95-96 for 5k. Converting to manual is about 500 in parts alone. He doesn't seem like he knows much about it, so he would probably take it to a shop. That is 2k+ parts and labor rapage.
So what's that like 7k now?
Ok, so now time for the front end. That's another k. And of course you have to make sure everything is done right and parts are painted.
Total? About 8-10k. Time and labor and trouble? Not worth it. Just get a 95-96 and keep it that way.
