Update: aight, I'm keeping it. Check out my new next gen audio rig 3000:
I cleaned it out and it seems to work fine. The drive belts seem okay: not dry, but maybe a little loose, although the BPM of the music sounds about right. I paid $50 for it.
I have no bloody idea why I'd need it or would want to keep it. I just wanted to try it out, knowing that the store's policy is "no questions asked" if I return it within 30 days. Also, retro is fun...?🤣
I was just considering getting into cassettes since I have no physical audio media these days. I prefer those cases than CDs because the hinges snap too easily. But my gods cassettes have gotten so expensive. On discogs the CDs are always cheaper. Who would have thought cassettes would become gentrified!