Looking for new one in your local LBS might be cheaper, but according to personal experience one always ends up with rebuilding, customising something or returning and reselling.
As far as I know nowadays there are only available low quality hight tensile (mild) steel frames or chromoly steel frames which are made with larger diameter tubing therefore stiffer and more uncomfortable. This leaves old steel frames as the best option.
Last edited by sysrq; 12-31-19 at 12:33 AM.