My question to the original poster is this:
What is the rifle's intended purpose? Hunting, Target, HD, all or some or none of the above? I'm guessing you are not looking for a safe queen as a primary concern is ammo availability and affordability. Hmm - in a later post you said looks and plinking - but OK for a truck gun.
I like the idea of thinking ahead when building a collection - and ammo logistics are of importance on a budget. I think quite a few posters here are missing the _affordable ammo_ part.
That said - here's my two cents:
If you are also thinking HD in addition to just plain fun to shoot, a pistol caliber carbine like a HiPoint 995 or KelTec Sub2000 would be ideal. I have fired the 995 and found it to be affordable, accurate, and reliable. I have no experience with the Sub2000. Both can be had for around $200 - which leaves you more $$$ for the inevitable accessories and ammuntion.
In fact, for $500 all total you could pick up either of those carbines in 9mm for around $200 and find yourself a 9mm pistol for your CCW like a KelTec PF9 for about $300. Having two 9mm's in the truck is twice as fun.
Of course the downside here is that you are going to want to buy lots of magazines because plinking with a 9mm eats up ammo fast. LOL - I bet you have lots of extra mags for your 10/22 - or want more mags.
Here the Sub2000 might have an edge because they use Glock magazines - helpful if you ever plan on buying a Glock down the road. A pistol/carbine combo that uses the same mags is logistically and tactically helpful.
As for the looks of the HiPoint or KelTec carbines, that depends what you like to look at, and I would not buy a gun for "pretty looks" if it was going to be a well-used plinker and truck gun.
If the tacticool look of those carbines is not what you like, and you still want an affordable gun with classic simple looks that is fun to shoot and a versatile truck gun, consider one of those NEF Handi Rifles with the additional shotgun barrel. Since these are single shot you won't blow through ammo as quickly (there's that affordability thing again).
You can pick which centerfire ammo fits your budget and go with that barrel - you did not say what gauge your Nova was in - but pick your shotgun barrel to match to Nova and you have two shotguns in the same gauge. Having a 223, 308, or 30-06 _and_ a 12 or 20 Ga shotgun in the truck to go plinking with is lots of fun too.
Hope this rambling reply helps more than it confuses . . . .
