Paul,
I don't know where you live but after a quick search on
aerotraderonline.com I found many planes in the price range that you
mentioned.
Here is one example of many:
1980 CESSNA 152 II, 4135 TT, 130 SMOH , Very Clean, Low Time,
$28,000, 1998 Paint, 2001 Int. Inspection Status: March 2003 Annual.

And there's even better deals than that if you look.
Try Trade-A-Plane or ASO.com

David (KORL)