whatever way you decide to go, be prepared to be shocked at insurance prices...
dont get much cheaper than just under $2k a year for full comp, and thats with no mods...
suggest going through GIO (custom cars) and paying by the month, unless you can afford the 2k in one hit
read up on the threads, visit some dealers (tho i know there arnt many dealers with NAs in melb atm)
your best bet would be buying off someone on SAU, that way you know the car has been genuinely looked after