I remember my days of college when I only had a dollar to last a week. If that is the case I would say get the one from your dad and see how well you like it. Last year I upgraded from a '72 shwinn 10 speed. I thought it would make a huge difference. I like the new shifters a lot more, the rest is not as dramatic of a difference as I thought it would be. Sometimes I even miss it.

My $.02 worth
Brian