I recently bought a Technics SL-1200MK2 and just happened to be changing the tonearm wires (for Cardas) today with our electronics technician. Nasty, to say the least. We could not finish.
If you get into vinyl, it's not going to be easy or cheap. I bought the turntable because I have over 600 LPs vs 200 CDs. Vinyl sounds more musical, yes. But technology is closing the gap. If I was your age I would not bother.