Jeff,
Buy a nice LS-4!
It's well in your budget range.
Many have been refinished and upgraded.
Almost all will come with useable instruments, radio, etc.,and usually a
good trailer.
They have earned many accolades for exceptional handling and benign flying
qualities.
They hold their value far better than almost any other glider and there is
always a buyer waiting in rhe wings when you are ready to move on.
Resale is an important consideration.
You can use the money left over in your budget for lots of tows, upgrades
or, you could just send it to your favorite charity.
Cheers!, Pete

"Kirk Stant" wrote in message
om...
One more thing: Make sure it has a REALLY NICE TRAILER. Nothing will
make the soaring experience sour quicker than having to struggle with
a goofy, poorly designed trailer.

Make sure you take the time to rig and derig any gliders you are
thinking of buying - preferably with an experience glider pilot friend
along to point out things you may not notice.

Remember, instruments and parachutes can be replaced or upgraded, but
you will have to live with that trailer for a while!

Kirk