Cost is volatile based on location and scarcity. I happily paid $1400 for my one-owner 4th Gen 1990 DX Hatch "mint" condition body with 170,xxx miles on it. Pay what you think is fair value based on how rare they are and how unmolested it is. In my case it was unmolested.
I would agree. mo more $2000 though, especially if you plan to do a swap as all you are really paying for is the shell.
I mean there are guys who have gotten a shell from 100-500 bucks or even free on this forum so keep that in mind. As low as you can get the car would be great so that way you can put that money into upgrades. The 4th gen is starting to get more scarce.
At a point sometime in the future (I predict 2 years max) the oem unmolested 4th gen is going to be extinct and you are going to have to buy one from riceboy69 down the street. Good luck. When this point comes, your best bet is to suck it up and buy a 5th gen as it would be more cost effective