need help finding an old cheap bike-new rider :)?

[Rae F]

i'm looking to buy an older cheaper bike, possibly a dirt bike to learn how to ride on. i know i'm new, so i'm much more likely to wreck, drop it, etc, so i'd really like to get some cheap lil junker (that runs), to learn on, and spend the big bucks when i'm more experienced and confident.

i've checked craigslist and i've googled, i'm not finding anything below a thousand bucks that isn't a minibike.

any ideas of what i should get, what year range, where to look?
thanks!