Yeah--you don't need 220V for our cars. I'd even say that getting 0.023" wire is better than the standard 0.030" because it's just easier to make small welds with.
Adding gas to a "shielding-gas-capable" welder will cost about another $150 once you include a bottle with fill and a regulator. If you can find one that includes all that on Craigslist, it's probably worth your while. Also, once you have a bottle, it's probably a good idea to either buy ($100) or build yourself a cart to hold the welder, bottle and supplies. I'm sure either the Campbell or the HF one are capable enough for what we're doing on our cars--it's just a matter of getting it set right and figuring out how to handle them appropriately. I'd still recommend using MIG, even with the additional cost, just because digging slag out (and breathing it) is no fun after the first four welds, especially when we're doing 1" at a time.
Actually, looking around in your area, it might be worth your while to give these guys a call to see if they have any package deals on new equipment, or used equipment that they can set you up with. It'll certainly be more expensive than $250, but honestly, they'll get you all set up with what you need from the start:
http://www.industrialsource.com/ If you can walk out of there with a new or serviced-used welder with regulator, tank and cart and a 10lbs of solid wire for under $550 or so, I'd consider that a veritable bargain.
I presume you have all of your appropriate welding safety gear already. But, if you want to spend an extra $20 on the best wire welding gloves ever, I'd highly recommend the Black Stallion 855s: Elk and Nomex make them soft and floppy, yet super heat resistant:
http://store.cyberweld.com/blstweglprel.html (the website says $28, but I got mine for $20 at the local welding supply shop), so see how much you can get them for.
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