First car..., does this sound good? Options

[spetsacdc]

I am buying my first car, and I am thinking about a celica.

The one for sale is a 1995 ST Liftback.

5 speed
145K miles (approx.)
a/c
power locks/windows
cruise control
tilt steering
cd player(new)
moon roof
spoiler

Replaced the clutch last year and have all mechanical records

It is in good shape with the exception of a scrape on the front passenger side fender (about 8" long?)

Kelly Blue Book private seller value is $3175


I am concerned about the milage. What problems could I run into at 145k?

I have read these are pretty reliable cars, but can someone comfirm that?

Also, I might find that it is fun to modify the car alittle as a hobby.
Is it worth it to add stuff onto a car with these high miles? I would not want to give it new stuff (paint job, bodykit) if it was about to die. It seems alittle crazy to be modifiying a car that is only $3000, what do the modifications do to the value of the car?

Also, I read that an engine you can swap for this car is the 4a-gze. Is this very hard to do, and if this enigne dies soon b/c of the high miles, how much does the engine swap cost?

Sorry I have alot of questions.

Thank you for your time.

[spetsacdc]

I think I might be able to get it for a little less than 2500$, but I don't know if I to.

Its either that, or wait and try to get a low milage one thats like a 94-95 so it would be about $4-5K. There are not many around, so I am leaning towards the high mileage one.

When a car burns oil, what can be done to fix that? Also, if the engine died completely, that would be an excuse for a 4a-gze swap although I have no clue how to do it.