It sucks being short-bike lust reality. Long.

[Thorn]

Like a Luna

http://www.lunacycles.com/bike.html

Another vote. I'm not short. Quite the opposite, but I am "uniquely proportioned" so I understand the frustration.

It really sucks walking into a bike shop and seeing all the pretty bikes and trying out bike after bike after bike. Nothing fits. Surely one, just one, bike can be made to fit without it being unstable? Nope.

It took a long time to convince me, but I finally went custom. Best move I ever made. I have a bike that fits me (and most likely, me alone).

Your budget pushes you into the custom realm. Go for it. It will be money well spent.