1996 Mercury Marquis intake manifold

Hey guys stupid question but here goes im looking for a car so I find this 1996 mrc grand marquis for sale 76,000k on it for $1500.00 as is runs perfect but I did hear of a very expensive intake manifold is plastic on these cars and cost about $1200 to fix would this car be worth th buy is thre anyway to tell if it was changed?To metal or whatever?Any info about these cars would be much appreciated thanks again