i would lay out the coin for new, sticks get beat to death and now they are 25 years old
As long as the gears are in good shape, the synchros are the wear items. If the gears are damaged, the T5 probably will be a mess when you test the gears before purchase. Homeboy would have had to miss shifts badly.
Luckily you can buy good used or new parts for anything that shows wear on a T5.
Lets say all in maybe 400parts+core T5 in a quality home rebuild where you are 1200-1500(?) for new. Depends on a persons budget and how greasy they want to get.
BUT for 1000+ I'm going TKO or T56/TR6060/Nissan 6 speed etc. I mean keep it real, the joy of the T5 is the price point and availability.