Agreed, I had / still have the same reservations - I've had vehicles that didn't cost that much...
Reality today - there are several good performing x-bows starting around $300 and up that will kill deer all year long. Wicked Ridge G-3, Centerpoint, etc.
I've become partial to the Excalibers, but only since they have become much more compact, and have managed to lower the noise level some.
You're still early enough in the year that the used market is still slow, and the rush hasn't started for the Fall season.
I tend to put a number of arrows and bolts through my bows and x-bows year round - if the x-bow won't stand up to at least a couple hundred shots before season, I won't keep it.
