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Some games are more problematic than others. Do you have a local tech who does repairs, or do you plan on trying to do repairs yourself? Hiring someone is always going to cost a lot more.

No, you don't necessarily have to clear coat it. Usually this only done as part of a restoration.

As for waxing: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cleaning-and-waxing-pinball-machines-vids-guide

There is some risk involved, especially if you can't inspect the game in person.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-not-get-ripped-off-in-pinball-vids-guide/

Also, there is always a risk of a shipment being damaged in transit. There are several sad stories scattered around on the forums about this. However, there are also several stories of a shipment that went off without a hitch.

The best thing to do, especially for a first-time owner, is to inspect the game in person.

If you can afford to $4 or $5k for a game definitely get a newer Stern game that you like.There will be maintenance issues over time with any pinball machine.Check for a local service company that can help fix any problem you may have and educate yourself about the basic mechanics and electronics of a pinball machine.The fun factor is well worth the effort.

For $4k to $5k you buy a brand new stern pro and they will ship it with very little risk. Also there will be very little odds of something major going wrong anytime soon
That is what I suggest

This.

Also - add your location to your profile so we know where you are and you can meet local pinheads.
And I'd clear space for 2+ machines

Welcome to the fun !

3. - Try and buy in person unless it is brand new.

Meet local collectors, attend pinball shows, learn all you can and local new friends can be a real help in getting and fixing.

LTG : )

If you are remodeling the basment go ahead and add more than a few deticaded cuircuts, you wont stop at just one machine if you have the room, an led'd game will draw about 2.5 to 3.5 amps being played. Asume for at least 10 machines. Just do it now while.the room is emptyish before you go nuts with collecting, it will happen....

Welcome aboard.

I would look at the Ghostbusters Pro and/or Champion Pub or Cue Ball Wizard. The GB you can find at around $4900 NIB delivered and the other two would be half that if not less. I would be leery of the older games b/c of annual maintenance. If you don't want to service them yourself or no desire to do so, than I would look to the new game. JMO

Find a local arcade and play everything to see what you like. Play it 1st to make sure you like it. I would also download "The Pinball Arcade" by Farsight Studios which has digital versions of many older tables and is still adding them. It's not same as the real thing but you can get a good idea of a game from it. When I was first looking it helped me rule out some and brought to my attention some I wouldn't have thought of.

I know a couple people that seem to be your similar temperament for pinball and they both had Simpsons pinball party in a single game lineup and loved it. Should be able to find a really nice one for your budget.

Both said they needed little to no maintenance too.

Also handy to look the game up on YouTube just to see it being played. Many times one can get a good feel from that if it will interest them or not

There are a few techs on this forum that live in Iowa.

I'm only a step or two ahead of you on my pinball journey. I only had room for 1-2 machines at best, so I really had to be choosy, which meant I had to love both the play and the theme. I started by getting game recs from my friends, and making an effort to try them all out. Settled on GBLE or Pre.

...but then

...instead of buying the machine I had picked out, my husband and I moved to a house where I can easily fit in 10+ machines no sweat! It's opened up a lot of options for me, lol. Once we sell our old house, I'm going to get my GBPre, but I'm also looking at a wide range of other machines too.

A lot of pinball repair is basic mechanical ability. Are you the kind of person that calls a plumber to replace a kitchen faucet? Is changing a flat tire intimidating? Have you ever soldered wires together? Do you own basic mechanical tools? 1/4" drive socket set, wrenches, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, multimeter? A lot of it is basic, "this doesn't work", "oh, I see, that plastic thingy is broke" or, "that rubber ring is broken", "I need to take off all this stuff to get to it", or "this doesn't work", "oh, the wire broke off the coil. Break out the soldering gun". If you're not into basic mechanical repairs, you need to make sure there's someone in your area that does make house calls. Not all operators will work on other peoples games.

I didn't know how to change a light bulb when I started two years ago. Since then I have soldered pretty much everything under a playfield, rebuilt flippers, pop bumpers, and drop targets. I am very comfortable cleaning games and also diagnosing most of the common issues you will run into.

Just be willing to learn and there is countless materials out there. I used this site and you tube videos to learn everything I have to this point.

One thing I would question. If you and your fam aren't much into pinball and you Mainly want a decor piece, why spend 4-5k? You could get something that fits the bill for far less.

As for waxing and clear coat. If the play field is in decent shape when you purchase you should never near to clear coat. And if you get a more modern game that is clear coat from the factory you don't *really* need to wax. You just need to keep it clean (wipe when any balls trails or black dust appears) and replace balls if they get dinged up. Especially if it won't be getting heavy use.

For purchasing - meet seller and pick up game in person when at all possible. Buy from a hobbyist rather than a random person on Craigslist or eBay.

Jack

Buy a new in box Stern game.

Wax it as soon as you set it up. Then wax it every other month.

Put new balls in it; as soon as you set it up. Put new balls in it anytime you see a nick on one of them. Replace all the balls every year.

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1325 (remember, buy extra balls!)

Older games are great, and less money - but you never know how many crappy techs have done crappy repairs or hacked in strange components.

I agree with vid1900... look at Stern's current roster of Pro models...pick one... call up Cointaker, Tilt Amusements, GameExchange (colorado), Lanes and Games... for the best price shipped (which should land in the $4700-$4900) range and get a new in box game.

All pinball machines can be finicky...but if you aren't comfortable working on them, then the older machines might end up being a headache for you. Lots and lots can go wrong with them – no rhyme or reason. This isn't to say that something won't go wrong with a NIB machine, either. But, you're severely cutting down the chance of it happening.