Searching For my First Tractor - Need Help

Here's the PROBLEM... Ideally, I'd like to find a "Working" tractor that I could use to plow / disc my acre. Would be great if said tractor was near enough (say within 200 miles of Ontario, California, 40-miles East of L.A.) so I could pre-buy inspect and trailer it home. Would consider most brands / makes.

I'm mechanically-inclined enough to make repairs, but a basket-case that would take too much time and / or cost too much in parts to return to service isn't acceptable.

Finally, my wallet is rather thin. Around $1000 or less is budgeted.

To recap:

a) within 200 miles (So-Cal) to inspect / pickup
b) Running or Non-running, but not "Junk"
c) $1,000 or less
d) Most Makes
e) Capable of pulling Plow /Discs

I looked at a 1934 John Deere Model A for $500, non-running, but complete (supposedly ran before last parked, but sounded like a rod knocking / bearings.)

Where would be a good place to search?

Thank You

I'd stay away from buying a nonrunner thinking you'll save money by fixing it your self - if it was cheap to fix the guy owning it would have done it already.

The problem with a non-runner is that you really don't know what you've got until you can at least get the engine to crank. On the bright side, it takes almost no aptitude to take one of these things apart, and if you start out with a junker, you can part it out and have enough money to buy a better tractor next time.

I found a New Holland dealer in Woodland, CA with a 9N for $1,350. (see image) contact: tari@woodlandtractor.com

But I'll tell you $1,000 would not get you much around here. If you really don't need or want a 3-point or a PTO you might find something.

Before I posted the original question, I had been checking out the classified ads on this website and several other websites as well (which I will continue to do), but I wonder if there are any other or some really exceptional sources that I simply haven't found yet.

I've tried five websites with for-sale ads including the number-one auction site that starts with "E", but few ads looked promising, unless I had the time / money, etc to travel 500-miles or more.

As for the John Deere Model A, it was advertised as a "1931" model which (of course) is not correct as the first year for the Model A was 1933 or 1934. Didn't have the serial number list with me at the time but now I do and I may look it over again tomorrow.

Still figuring that some other slightly newer model would be more appropriate as my first tractor.

As I said, I appreciate the great advice so far and look forward to any other good thoughts on the subject.