Have to admit I did as well, or at least it lead me in that direction.
There are a lot of other parts a swap would need. Some expensive major parts.
I have done lots of engine swaps converted cars from automatic to manual trans etc etc etc. It would be cost prohibited to pay someone to do the swap, change wire harnesses, body control modules, digital dash, fuel system, transmission, axles, most likely changes everywhere to swap a 2.0 engine in. Would prob need wrecked 2.0 sport to even have a chance of success. Shortage of auto mechanics even finding someone willing to tackle the swap near impossible and labor cost to the moon on a job like that. So lot easier and a lot cheaper go buy a Badlands bottom line.
This. It has been my experience that you will save a ton of money simply buying a car equipped from the factory to meet whatever use requirements you may have than to buy a lower-priced model with the idea of "upgrading" it. It's rare for aftermarket upgrades to straddle the line between integration and capability the way OE configurations do. Why? Because they have the benefit of engineers who know a helluva a lot more about building cars than vendors selling upgrades and the owners who buy them.
