Like you I'm a vintage guy but I miss opening packs.
For current stuff, Topps flagship is still probably the best for this (Series 1, Series 2, Update). You can get an auto, relic, parallels, etc. and the price isn't terrible (although it's more expensive now than it was a couple years ago).
But as a previous poster said, you really won't get your value back out unless you get lucky and pull something rare. But that's part of the fun I guess. If you consider the price of the box as an "entertainment expense", then any good cards you get are just a bonus.
Another thing I like to do is open up old junk wax (1991 Donruss, early 90's Score). You can still sometimes find those cheap, and even though the odds are LOOOONG, there is still technically a chance to pull a rare insert or auto (although I never have
). But's that good, cheap fun.