What ever you play with it is going to be old kit. It's just that the 4000 is the least old and is the most versatile when it comes to getting bits to work with it. I have never encountered any great issues with the 4000 as a durable machine. Suffers from all the same kinda probs that the 3000 or 2000 would. It is just that the 4000 is where Amiga was before it all folded and had they not it no doubt would have been just developed into a glorified PC. Which is where Escom picked up the thread in the hope of converting the user base.
Personally I would start from scratch and scrounge, beg, borrow bits and maybe make some of your own from PC stuff. I have built 4000s that were dead along with 3000s. I have even been given kit because I showed my enthusiasm.
Below is a 4000 tower which has to be the best of the best when it comes to customising the standard 4000d. And then there are images of my 4000 projects and my 3000UX which I have built from a scrap of parts which started with just the case. All I have has been bought off Ebay, Amibench[of old] or given to me by folk who wanted a good home for their kit. So getting involved in the community, keeping your eyes open, and taking a few gambles often pays off.... The last image was a gamble I took on a sale for a 500 that claimed to be a 1200... and when I cracked her open I was well surprised.
Building and looking after Amigas is always fun. And having projects is the most rewarding.
http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/amiga_scuzz520.htmhttp://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/amiga_scuzz383.htmhttp://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/amiga_scuzz361.htmhttp://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/car_0608/car08401.jpg
