Avionics Help/Recommendations Neede

You may have seen some of my threads over the past 6-8 months, about an
unpredictable flakey radio problem I was having. It seemed to have
been resolved by replacing a relay in the audio panel.

I have flown the plane for a few months now, with no issues, until
recently. I have encountered the same symptoms I was having in the
past (no sidetone, when transmitting), but have been able to resolve it
by moving the audio panel around (usually, pulling it halfway out,
reseating it and tightening up the screw to secure it to the tray).
I'm not sure if the relay was "ever" the problem, but all I know is
that replacing it and putting the audio panel back in, bought me a few
months of flying, which I was unable to get before, even after having
removed and reseated the audio panel on several occaisions.

My point??? I'm done! I want to jump into the IFR system and not
constantly be worrying about how fresh my batteries are in my handheld,
because it's only a matter of time before I'm lost comms!

I currently have and old Cessna ARC audio panel, and a generic intercom
with a volume knob, squelch knob and pilot isolation switch. I also
have a Narco Mark 12D radio with VOR indicator, an INOP ADF, a
standalone Narco NAV122 with LOC/GS, and an old standard Cessna
transponder (altitude encoding).

I don't have DME, which I would really like to have, and I don't have a
second radio. This has directed my focus towards some day putting in a
GNS 430, and getting both as a bonus, but that's just not in the budget
at the moment! :-(

What is probably most practical for me, is to do a few small things now
and keep myself flying regularly, and make the big purchases down the
road (hopefully). I don't, however, want to keep buying used/older
equipment off of eBay or where-ever and get 3 more months of flying,
only to be in the same boat 3 months later.

My thought is a new audio panel with the intercom built in, and
removing the old audio panel and intercom. I know there is some
rewiring involved but don't know enough about it to appreciate what the
extent of that would be? I would also like to have something installed
that would be compatible with panel that would be a farily ideal
end-state panel, after upgrades over the next few years.

Is it reasonable to do what I am looking to do, in the $1500-$2000
range, or am I dreaming? (Just the audio panel/intercom upgrade, fully
installed)

I've solicited and received feedback on IFR certified GPS's in the
past, but I'm not so sure an IFR certified GPS is a requirement for me?
I've only considered the 430, to get DME and additional COM
capabilities out of it. I would be completely happy with a handheld,
but would need to consider an additional COM and DME with that in mind.

I feel like a deer in the headlights here and have no idea which
direction to go. Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated.

The one kicker for me is the budget. I'll probably have to go the
upgrade vs. fix route and nibble away at it a little at a time, rather
than drop it off for a major panel upgrade. I just want to make sure
I'm nibbling toward an end goal, and not just hodgepodging a panel
together, entirely out of budgetary constraints.

My short term goal is to get back in the air and get some more IFR
experience. I'm really not interested in getting some actual lost com
experience... ;-)

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
Todd