Find a friend in best buy and you can get the escort 8500 x50 for 150 dollars. ( they have an accomodation going)
I'm getting the Escort SR1 with Phasing capabilities (retail 1599) for 550.
(yes it is worth bribing a best buy associate) This is available to all best buy associates with the accomodation form.
Jason
00 Audi S4, 2.7 Bi-turbo quattro
01 S10 Xtreme, 4.3l
98' Contour SE with some mods
96 Cavalier (beater)