I finally have $10,000 to spend on one of these beautiful cars, but before I bought anything, I wanted to ask you guys just what I should expect for my money.

Naturally I'd like to find a car with no rust ever, or at least all the rust professionally repaired, excellent paint, a new engine, and a great interior. I am not looking for a museum piece, mind you, but a visually and mechanically excellent car that needs nothing.

But...I suspect that there is no way to get all these for my money.

I looked at two that had some rust, decent interiors, so-so mechanicals and were going for about $7000 or so each. They were presentable, but i figure would cost another $6000 for a new engine, rust repair, and new paint on either. I could live with the interiors as-is, but that would put me at $13,000+ but still with very worn (but intact) interiors.

Is this reasonable, or can I really find a really nice driver needing nothing for my $10K? Oh, yes, I am south of Portland, OR.

Barry