General verdict on used equipment? Used vintage analog mixer

In the quest for dank gear, I have been browsing around a lot for good deals on used stuff. I need a good analog mixer and found so many "good condition" Mackie 1604s for under $250. From what I read, it's a good and reliable mixer, although i have read about some issues with wiring. Is this a good buy? What do you guys think about used equipment in general? Old classic gear like these older Mackies? I;m really interested in that organic sound i hear from older analog equipment.

thanks yall

My favorite engineer, and this is a guy I know, (not the mythical pro guys I don't know) uses an old yamaha analog board. He has protools and all that but runs it through an old yamaha. He got it used.

His work has been nominated for the grammy awards. His name is Samori Coles and he works with jazz cats and hiphop artists in philly. He is the real deal and has the ear.

You have to listen closely to the board and make sure you like it when you are making your sound. That is the key. Having a sound. Lately sounds are not colored and if you want that then no need for old boards. You can get nice multiple bus boards for little and nothing now a days.

Peace
Ian