very true and i like your thinking i wish i could buy a whole car but i just do have the room for 1 more so i would most likely buy just a motor that was already running or in a perfect world a motor and trans out of something
Get creative. I've bought cars, pulled them onto a rented/borrowed trailer and then stripped the engine/trans/driveline into the bed of my truck before hitting the metal recycler to dispose of the carcass all in one day. Some places want a car cut into peices first - couple buddies with sawzalls and grinders helps.
Never underestimate the value of spare parts. All the little things you get from a fully assembled engine add up quickly.