Have you looked at buying a used one? Lots of good deals out there right now and you could drive it immediately. Look at
http://www.cobracountry.com/# if you haven't already. There will be PLENTY to tinker with over time regardless of what you do. Just a thought.
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“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.”
www.partskeeper.com
(Less time searching, more time wrenching & driving)