+1

cafeIKE wrote:Get the best you can afford that most esthetically pleases you.

I politely disagree with that statement.
There are many things one can spend one's money on. There is no need to spend the absolute top of what you can afford into one area of your interest. Everybody has their own sweet spot on cost vs. value. For example, I ride an old Schwinn Prelude. It's the best bike I've ever had. For now, I am completely happy with it. I could swing some nice secondhand Pinarello or Bianchi frames and have them powder coated and some nice bits added to them. But it wouldn't be worth it to me. Sure, I could notice the difference and say 'this is nicer' but it wouldn't be 'nicer' enough since I can do other nice stuff with the money I didn't spend.

No one said bet the farm.

afford [əˈfɔːd]
vb
1. (preceded by can, could, etc.) to be able to do or spare something, esp without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences