I have had my '99 2.2L for about 2 years now. At the time of the purchase I had no idea what I-Club was and being my first real car purchase, I neglected to look too in depth on the vehicle.

Needless to say, 2 years later I am being told the tapping noise that was said to just be "lifters" is now sounding like trouble ahead.

Basically as my mechanic stated, "Maybe it's time you consider trading it in."

My question is this. Is it going to be worth dropping a used/rebuilt WRX or 2.5RS engine into this vehicle? After all costs considered, would it be best to just look for a near-stock WRX?

I would like to maintain payments around $250 a month or less. Reliability over zoom zoom, for now.

Any suggestions? I also am considering a used 2.5RS, I have been looking at MY '02 or '03 which seem to be within the price range I have budgeted.

But then again, I really love my "gc8" style I have going now and if it will be a lot cheaper to do an engine drop I will consider that, but ONLY if it will be fairly reliable (If more work would be required for reliability in this process, I would like to know that too). With this said, I am in Pennsylvania near Maryland border, just west of Philly. Anyone have any options besides Andrewtech or a local mechanic for this work if that's the route I take?

Thanks in advance