Some of the least expensive new units I've seen have been from Southern Air--but those are mostly fairly small capacity units--with the large Packard, maybe OK for you and a front seat passenger blowing right on you but not for anyone in the back seat.
http://www.southernrods.com/categories/heating-and-cooling/heating-and-cooling-systems/southern-air-1.html By the time brackets fabricated and installation included you're still looking approx the figure you quoted and for a bit more for the unit, the capacity would be more appropriate.
Of course, you might be lucky and find a complete aftermarket unit from a junk yard that needs minimal repair but with those, without some updating, they almost have to use Freon R12. With limited availability, special handling, installers, etc that cost is high so it's a wash. Anything new will have the R134 option so be considerably less to install.
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