Take your time - there's a reasonable turn-over of 80s on eBay and Autotrader. I've been close to the market for the last 18 months, and 6k is ok if it's mechanically sound, but if you can live without lockers (which usually don't work anyway) or 3rd row seats, you'll find a clean import for much less. You won't find a UK car without rust for sensible money, whereas imports usually spent their early lives in warmer climes, so don't bear the scars of the great British winter!
I spent 6 months looking, found very clean truck going for a song, but by the time it was up to scratch I'd spent 6k.]
Wise words indeed, the first thing I do with the 3rd row of seats is remove them to save weight, I had my 1st 80 16 years and while it was on the road I only used the diff lock once, but it still worked when I sold it.
Guy you are right about imports, my DD is a 95 24V auto, solid, everything except the rear wiper works, came with 2 working diff locks 12 months MOT drives as it should for half the amount of the grey one and I wouldn't swap it for that or any other manual one.
Patience is deffo the key, ask any of the 80 guys on here who have been down the same road. Incidentally in 97 when I bought my 1st 80 it was no easier buying a good one then, the one I got was the 30th I viewed after 6 months and over 2K miles but I kept it a long time and kept it nice.
Again good luck
