Looking for penn rod/reel advice

[erebus]

Ok, maybe I'm opening a can of worms here (pun?) but I need some help figuring out about rods and reels.

I live on Cape Cod, I own a seacraft, and other than what I've gleaned from striper fishing a few times last year with a friend from work, I don't know $hit.
Pathetic, I know.

Whats been recommended to me is to get a nice Penn senator 113 reel with wire line and a roller tip rod.
Seems simple enough.

In doing research, I've found that some people (THT) say to stay away from the newer "Made in China" Penn reels and go vintage.
So I looked on Ebay. Tons of stuff all different prices, model numbers, years, gear ratios, blah blah blah.
I looked locally on craigslist for some used stuff, I looked at Cabelas and Dicks sporting goods for the newer stuff (About 159.99 for a basic combo from dicks).
And just now I figured out that some Penn reels come with aluminum spools and some with chromed brass/bronze!

I'm lost.

Anybody out there on the interwebs sell reconditioned Penn reels for not a fortune?
I would of course like to spend as little as possible, considering I just blew my budget on a new windshield and some other boat bits for the 18SF.
Can I get away with ~$150 for a setup?
Any of you guys have some old stuff out in the garage you want to be rid of?

Thanks for any advice.