Hey Tracy,
these cars are the worse to work on but are fantastic to drive.
i had to get my alternator replaced and the had to take the front end off just to get to it. that cost close to $1000 and the alternator was around $200 - $250
these cars where designed to have a 4cly engine installed, and of course the japanese figured out a way to slap a 6cyl engine into it. not that im a mechanic but i would say what the mechanic said is correct, the engine has to come out........ plus the front end 😞