Excessive oil consumption

[imbodie]

Ok, now that I have the car actually running I took it on a short trip today. All in all aprox 100 miles round trip. I started out with topped off fluids including the oil. By the time I had gotten back to town my oil light was flickering. I thought initially this was just thinned out oil and low oil pressure (my air cooled vw would do the same thing).

When I checked the oil, it didn't even register on the dipstick. Granted this was after immediately shutting the engine off and I haven't checked it after it sat for 30 minutes, but any ideas what could make it use/loose so much oil in less than 100 miles?

I don't think it's leaking it out and the car isn't smoking THAT much, or atleast I didn't think it was.

Prior owner confirms that this is typical oil useage for the car since she got it.
I have several ideas like re-ringing the pistons, valve seals, valve job....
but where should I start first?

-Tim