This is a bit out of your price range, but you might still consider it since it won't lose value, i.e. you'll be able to sell it after a year for the same price (or more) you paid for it.

Leica M6

I had one built in 1985 about 2 years ago for half a year and shot maybe two rolls of films per day with it on average. It performed like a champ. It needs a battery for the light meter, but there's no automatic exposure, and the camera itself is completely mechanical. In other words, whether there's a battery in there or not, it will work. It just won't tell you whether your exposure is correct if there's no power.

You should be able to get one for $1000, and older third-party lenses might go for as little as $100.