If that Garand receiver is an original and not one of the newer reproductions, you might want to grab a Garand parts kit for around $150.00 before they all dry up.
The G3 "clones" are available in the same price range. A gun shop in my area has a CETME rifle built on one of the Special Weapons cast stainless steel receivers - very nice for about $700.00. If you can find a H&K rifle built on the Special Weapons receiver, it's likely a good buy. On the other hand, the ones with the stamped steel receivers made by Hesse are to be avoided. Your best bet is to get a Portugese-built FMP G3 (semi-auto) receiver from InterOrdnance and one of their G3 parts kits. That'll total about $650.00 - $700.00, to which you'll have to add the assembly cost and cost of the needed U.S. components. The price closes in on $1,000.00 fast, but you'll end up with a rifle that is built to the same specs as the ones bearing the H&K rollmark.
Want something cheaper? A nice FAL "parts gun" should cost $800.00 or less, even using a like-new Steyr StG-58 parts kit and an Imbel receiver.
If you decide to go with the FAL or G3, do not wait very long before making your purchases. Complete parts kits and the *good* (read: imported) receivers (except for the DSA FAL receiver) are no longer being imported. Supply will soon grow short.