Unchained, I own that 20 year old machine with out a tool changer. And you are right, ok to tinker with but you won't earn a living with it. See, this is no hobby for me.
I go lucky that only a servo went bad. If it was a spindle or AC drive I'd had to push it in the scrap heap.
Also I need something that will run unattened. I can buy a pretty nice machine for less then hiring someone to change tools in what I have now.
I'm looking at used stuff too. I'm sure I'll go that route when I get a bigger lathe (like a 6~8" chuck). What I'm after right now is a small lathe for bar work. The one I'm looking at will drop the part off in 22 seconds and costs about as much as a nice 3/4 ton truck. Maybe a little more with the bar feeder.