Todd, it's natural to want to figure out what's desirable in one of these cars by researching online. And it's good to learn as much as possible about the various options before you start writing checks.
But at some point, you just have to get out and see - and possibly drive - the cars to understand what they're all about.
They're so different from any modern, mass-produced car (in good ways and bad) that it's hard to get a feel by just reading words. An hour or two at a Cars and Coffee, at a club event, or just having a beer with an owner, will tell you things that it's hard to read between the lines of online discussions.
Money may not buy happiness, but the more of it you spend, the more Speedster you get. Seeing the cars and driving them will show you the difference between what $30k buys and what $40k or $50k, or even $80k buys. And of course, if you're willing to do your own wrenching, you can save a ton of money by doing your own building or upgrades.
We all have our own comfort levels about what compromises we're willing to accept. So, you're really the only one who can decide which car is right for you.
As Gordon suggests, the search tool here is a great place to start. If nothing else, it will keep you entertained with just how far off subject most discussions drift. But sooner or later, you'll just need to touch some fiberglass to find the truth.