After reading the articles that John Willis thoughtfully Googled for you, head on over to
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and browse the Bus classifieds. Forabout two large, your choices will be limited unless you really, really liketo work on things mechanical. I would suggest a newer model (i.e. '70's) Beetle to get you started. Good ones can be had for about your price range.
I bought a nearly completed restoration, a '69 Beetle, about 18 months ago for $2500. It has run without problem until a couple months ago when a brake cylinder gave up the ghost. After about $100 in parts and another $100 or so in tools I didn't own, I had it fixed (in a couple of evenings). Plus, I got a really nifty Craftsman breaker bar and 36mm socket out of the deal.
I tune my engine, change the oil, lube the beam and other chassis points, and adjust the valves religiously (about once every couple of months, or about 2k miles) and the car gives me excellent service in return. I find that I generally discover areas that the previous owner(s) neglected to service every once in a while (i.e brake system, ball joints, greasing the beam) before they fail, though I haven't been over some areas of the car with a fine-tooth comb yet.
For an economical daily driver, I would head towards the vehicle with a long list of updated mechanicals instead of the shiny-looking car with the new deep luster paint job (price being equal). Banging around town in a dingy looking, reliable vehicle is much preferable than thumbing rides to the local VW supply house every week.