I recently bought an '81 Fuji S12-S that's in the shop right now having a few things done to it. When it's all said and done I'll be in it for a little more than I would be in a lower-end BikesDirect road bike. But to me that's not the point. I wanted something C&V. I'm happy w/ what I have. There are a few more things I'll do to it before I'm done, and that'll cost me. I'm sure I'll be even happier with it then.
I'm already looking at my next project. That one I will build myself. It's not about the money. It's about learning, doing, having exactly what I want the way I want it. I never learned anything by whipping out a checkbook.