How about looking for a "sort-of-nice" one and fixing it up? Granted, it's not the most economically intelligent decision, but your pool of potential purchases increases (making it easier to find a car), and it's infinitely more rewarding....

I bought a structurally sound car (if not the prettiest in the world), made it mechanically sound, and then moved on to the body and paint. The exterior looks great now, and the interior is about the only thing I have left to do. Granted, it's taken me 9 years and counting, but the sooner you get it finished, the sooner you have to start trying to talk your wife into letting you get another project....

--E.
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'64 PVMoneypit