Ah, OK, sorry. Umm... with absolutely no knowledge of what the wheels, brakes, and other parts would cost me, my guess would be between $200-$300 as a reasonable frame cost. Less would be expecting too cheap on my part, and more might go over budget for the finished build, as I can't get parts nearly as cheap as you, at least I think. I haven't bought anything off Ali yet.

Dahon may get a clue and sell in the USA, their Archer 20(?) with normal disc spacing and hydraulic brakes, and the frame is aluminum but has extraordinary looking welds that don't look like TIG. But I'm not holding my breath on Dahon's marketing intelligence.

Well, Mini-velo frames run $300-800. I'd think it would be around $400, but there isn't much to compare really. The FnHon storm looks like a good starting point for a new folder. Planning to smuggle some in ,Ron ?
The Origami Lotus is down to $459, don't know who made the frame, but it's a clone of an FnHon, unless they make them real cheap . The Lotus has an assortment of weird off brand parts on it which helps with the price.
I'm shopping for my next folder, and haven't narrowed it down yet.

No smuggling. It would all be above water and within the personal importation allowance limit of $800. Yeah, I'd bring a couple if I could sell them for $400 a pop.

Fnhon Storm on Aliexpress:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

Thanks! With shipping, it's over my budget, but that assumes buying components here. Also, it includes the handlepost, that's a good savings; The longest fixed one is about 3" shorter than my desires, but the adjustable option should do it, though I prefer a fixed post in the correct length for me. If getting the frame from Ali, in for a pence, in for a pound, I'd source everything there, especially if the shipping is grouped so that same or near cost as the frame alone.

How much delivered to your Seattle door?
[Answer prompt: a three digit number, not War and Peace]

FYI & FWIW Those Storm are the first generation (disc) models lacking a front block on the head tube. A significant omission, imb. They are less expensive too in my locality relative to the new third-gen with a front block and new color scheme (all either fugly or plain Jane ). It pays to know what one is looking at. 😉 The second-gen Golden Black, Titanium and Blue are the more desirable lookers. Finally, Litepro makes their own version called the Helium. They are less expensive than the Storm but they are not built and finished as nicely.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fc7106d880.jpg
Second-gen, disc FnHon Storm with head-tube front block in Golden Black

The link that was posted, I did not tailor to my location, perhaps it automatically sensed, but it said about $125 shipping IIRC. Grouping it with all the other components needed would, I'm sure, mitigate that. But the lack of a front block is significant. I have not yet used a front block as I have a front rack on my current ride so no need for an add-on block on the head tube.

Sincere thanks for the tips, but I'm not in the mood right now to consider riding a fancier bike in these parts. Someone stole off my car, not only the cheap OEM hubcaps, but all the lug nuts, the car is sitting at the curb with the wheels resting on the lug stud threads. I'm lucky they didn't take the wheels and tires, the tires are near new and good ones. That they didn't means this was probably a walker, not able to haul tires, probably a druggie. Lug nuts cost a fortune locally (industrial supply doesn't stock size), fortunately a neighbor has amazon prime and ordered a set for $19, turns out they are ball seat and not taper seat, I didn't know that until now. Stolen lug nuts. What a crappy neighboorhood this has become, all due to opioid addiction. I no longer ride at night. Rant over.

I buy from AliExpress all the time, so keep them in mind. They oftentimes have some amazing deals...