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If you were going to spend sub 500$ on a new 3d printer. Which model would you buy. Why it over others?

Ive had an Ender 3 for about 5 years now. It has served me well. I bought it with the original 8bit board. 3 years after buying I bought the 4.2.7 board and V2 display. Then a bit ago i upgraded that old E3 V1 to a sprite extruder (which cut its x/y volume some as I can no longer reach the end of, or extend beyond the end of, either axis with the nozzle. Not much, 190 down from 220).

It still works flawlessly and prints reliably well, but its time for a new machine. Considering my experience with the only one I've had. I am tempted to get a new Ender 3pro model. (Sprite extruder and actual sized print volume) over my old E3. Otherwise its the same thing.

I have heard good things about the Prusa printers, and there are several other brands I am hearing good things about too...

Pro: I am very familiar with it.

Con: I remain familiar with only one brand.

Thoughts?

If you were going to spend sub 500$ on a new 3d printer. Which model would you buy. Why it over others? Ive had an Ender 3 for about 5 years now. It has served me well. I bought it with the original 8bit board. 3 years after buying I bought the 4.2.7 board and V2 display. Then a bit ago i upgraded that old E3 V1 to a sprite extruder (which cut its x/y volume some as I can no longer reach the end of, or extend beyond the end of, either axis with the nozzle. Not much, 190 down from 220). It still works flawlessly and prints reliably well, but its time for a new machine. Considering my experience with the only one I've had. I am tempted to get a new Ender 3pro model. (Sprite extruder and actual sized print volume) over my old E3. Otherwise its the same thing. I have heard good things about the Prusa printers, and there are several other brands I am hearing good things about too... Pro: I am very familiar with it. Con: I remain familiar with only one brand. Thoughts?

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Prusa is a good, reliable printer which hasn't improved in a while. It's basically two decade old technology. If you're really interested in upgrading, hold out for a little more and get a p1p. It's fast and reliable. Replacement parts are cheap and available. Even clone parts are now available.

https://store.bambulab.com/products/p1p?skr=yes

An alternative would be one of the corexy enders (5+?) and upgrade it. These can be had refurbished around $300-ish. Okay platform for upgrades. Prints okay out of the box.

You didn't really say what your expectations are or what you're looking to get on the other side of a purchase. If you want an actual upgrade you'll likely want something which prints faster or is enclosed and can print more materials reliably. If you want both, that pretty much means a corexy of some type.

All printers require maintenance. Nozzles wear out. Heat cartridges and wiring fail. So on and so on.