1500 for a used 3.5 engine... get real. the guy is in canada.
3.5 engines will run for over 500,000 miles with good maintenance, the only failues I've come across is water pump, leaky injectors and valve cover leakage.
try
www.car-part.com see if there's salvage auctions near you, maybe you can buy a wrecked car with good miles.
I have a 1996 concorde with 110,000 miles that I'm selling for $1200, but I'm even farther from you than California.