I began in the hobby in 2014 buying only new Lionel engines and the Polar Express set (no issues). I saw from the forum that a new purchase could have issues; made the decision that it is what it is; liked the new electronic technology anyway.
Out of 15 locomotives, I've had to send 4 locomotives back to Lionel service for smoke unit failures (my inexperience with either starving them or overfilling them - that's another story), 1 for a short in the trucks. In all cases, Lionel service was great - no charges, engines were fixed, no damage to them.
You ain't lived until you see a Big Boy and its whistle in a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ap0c6DWCM