The more important question of *why* does it need a new head gasket is the bigger concern here. These cars don't just blow head gaskets for no reason. +1 on not buying a salvaged car with issues, If you insist though you should get a PPI because there will be surprises.

Skip it.

Do you really want to buy someone else's bucket of issues? Guy clearly didn't maintain the car well and it's been wrecked. Chances are the previous owners beat on it as well.

Their story makes less and less sense. Find another car.

I'll go the other way from a lot of people on here.

My first Evo, I bought for 8k, knowing it had a knocking noise. Rebuilt title.

I learned how to wrench on that car, rebuilt it, and loved the hell out of that thing. Would do it all over again.

It all depends on how mechanically inclined you are, and how far you are willing to go to fix something. My personal opinion, if it doesn't need body work, or rust repair, it's worth fixing if the price is right.

Be ready to fix more than a headgasket. It could be just that but you have to ask yourself why it happen and what could make this happen.