I'm planning on buying a bicycle to go around a somewhat hilly college campus/commute to work (well, I don't know if it's worth calling it a commute - it's roughly 2 miles away), but I'm having a really difficult time deciding on a bike. My budget runs anywhere from $300-400, but I'm really iffy about spending $400. Like, really iffy.

Saw a 1984 Lotus Unique for $300 on Craigslist. Seller won't budge on the price (well, I offered $200 initially - maybe I'll keep trying haha), but he says it's in brand new condition. It would require me taking a 40 minute bus ride to get where he is, where I'll most likely end up biking back.

But I'm not sure. The bike retailed for about $350-450 back in 1984, but then again, inflation and whatnot so it might be worth it.

Otherwise, my options are:

1. Take buses to LBSs and pray that they'll have some good stuff on clearance
2. Buy from Bikesdirect and try to learn assembly/etc. myself (I have no experience, but am decent in general mechanically).
3. Keep being patient on Craigslist (but again, I have no car, it's a pain trying to think of how I'll get to some neighborhoods/how long it'll take, etc.)

Bikes I was looking at on Bikesdirect were the Mercier Galaxy Tour, Motobecane Super Mirage, Motobecane Mirage, and a few others.

Suggestions?