You could go along the Permit aircraft route - Aeronca, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, Jodel are a few of the classics, with some wonderful support from their concomitant clubs and afficiandos. All within your budget.
The newer end of the market is possible if you can get a share. I'm thinking of Europas and the like.
I think that 50 - 100 hours a year is the break even point on ownership against renting, depending on various fairly obvious factors.
Probably the most important thing: do you have hangarage lined up or are you having to tie down outside? If the latter, you are limited to spam can types (in the nicest possible sense).
Visit other airfields where there are a goodly selection of diverse types and talk to owners; we love talking aeroplanes and will bore you rigid. Keep an open mind and don't rush into anything. Then ignore all the advice on here and do what you want to do.