Sounds like you want to tinker more then camp. If that is so, go for it. You will spend months doing everything and never really get to enjoy the RV but if you enjoy a project then it will be great. I have dealt with sports cars for decades. It took a long time for me to realize it was cheaper and a whole lot less time and work to buy one that was in great shape rather then a project. Rvs in good shape always need tinkering so you can get your handyman fix either way. Personally I would buy a nice one and if I needed, get a part time job that would pay for it. It will take a lot less hours to work for others and pay for it then it will for you to buy cheap and work on it and buy parts for it. But bottom line is do what makes you happy. Enjoy.