My daily driver a $4,500 02 Z28 with ~250k miles, after $400 face lift, $300 of tint, maintenance. Car has good paint, body, interior & 12 years of dealer records.
With a $10,000 budget for a 4th Gen a really sweet car can be acquired. The remaining $5000 can go to mods, maintenance, repair and a rainy day fund.
4th Gen's are of the last of the breed of fairly simple, crude delightful muscle cars.