I've done a bit of that, but awesome post Zembalyan.
Snowtoy - ahhh, ok. I didn't realize it was that cheap. This one just popped up on CList, in the LA area. Looks like it's more along the price point you're talking about.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/3995246766.html Is an a/c compressor a cheap replacement too? Doesn't look like the stock steering wheel, wonder if that's an indicator of anything.