Then try to buy a car that already has a built engine. Lots of people do builds, spend too much, then sell the car a few months later. If you buy a car with a stock engine, expect to spend another ~10K on your engine build.

 

Yea Ive been looking and its hard to find a built one with low miles and clean title for less that 23k

 

You could also look for a car with a blown motor. Then let the car sit in your garage while you have the engine built.

 

Would that be a cheaper option? Or would that be the same price if not more and more time consuming?

 

Depends on the price of the rolling shell and how far gone the engine is. Plus then you get to have the engine built the way you want by who you want. There are a lot of engine options out there.

If I was on a 20K budget, I would get a stock 2010+ Evo X, do intake/exhaust/
MHI TF06-18K and call it a day. Enjoy the car at 400-420whp. Don't chase dyno numbers unless you have deep pockets.

 

Heck no. I wouldn't give up my 6 speed. For a street car, I don't see how anyone could break one. Short of grinding gears and extended time in 4th gear, I don't know how to hurt one. I can't say I spend much time at all if ever any time between 85mph and 110mph.