Try looking at the Classic and Vintage forum for some ideas as to what is available used. There are two threads there "Your catch of the day..."and "Are you looking for one of these?..." Maybe what you really need is an old English three speed. There is a thread devoted to them on the Utility Bike forum. There is no reason to spend a lot on a bike when there are so many bikes that have many thousands of miles left in them and are that are available for a song. Well maybe there are reasons to buy a new bike, but in my opinion, some of the best bikes were built thirty or more years ago.