hey Rob
I am sure that EVERYone is trying to be helpful. If the money is earmarked for ALL your transportation needs, then you need to decide of course. Get the money flowing in BEFORE you spend it.......
But it does make sense to have a nice car AND not drive it in the snow!! It is such a shame to see a fiero out and about on a cold January nite..... Of course, it can't be MINE!!
LOL. (sob)
So if you can manage to build it up into what YOU want - whatever that is - and be able to 'baby' it,then you will have the best of both worlds. But it is ALWAYS going to be a 20 yr old car, so either be ready to work on it yourself or to spend money on it SOMEhow. A LOT of people buy these things because (solely?) they find one for peanuts. Then they try to run them on a shoestring. If you want something reasonable you are going to have to spend more then $5 here and there.
But I am sure you know that by now anyway.
Good luck and keep us posted.
One thing for sure; a "Dan 3800" would be a thriller.
gp