Keep looking, and talk to everyone you know.

My current main bike was a freebie from a friend of my then-wife. It's a late 80's Specialized Hard Rock that spent its early years hanging out in a garage. I've been riding it over 9 years. I bought lights, fenders and a cheap rack. I rode the knobbies until they were worn out. After 5 years of riding it, I had it gone through mechanically. It's been a rock solid bike that can go anywhere.