School me on PS3s

[coxmaster]

Back story:
2 years ago I was avidly against consoles. Thought I would never buy one. Last summer I bought an Xbox 360 to play with some friends. Now im thinking about getting a PS3 as well.

Questions:
Am I crazy to buy a PS3 essentially for 1 game? Racing is what interests me, and GT5 is obviously a BIG deal. Am i crazy to buy a PS3 primarily for this (and possibly a few other games)?

What do I need to look for in a used/refurb PS3?
Storage size?
Should I buy used, new, or wait a while longer?


Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks!

 

[zerocool84]

Tons of people buy console's just for one game. They've done it for Halo, they've done it for Call of Duty, they've done it for God of War 3, and you can be sure they'll do it for GT5. If that's the only game you care about, I'd wait until it's released and they come out with a bundled version of PS3 that includes Gran Turismo 5.

 

[gorcorps]

It may be a little pricey for just one game, but you might be able to find a good price on a used one. Capacity shouldn't be an issue for one game. If you don't have a blu ray player already then it's worth it. Otherwise probably not.

 

[coxmaster]

Good to hear I'm not the only one that buys a console for just one game.

Ive seen tons of PS3s on ebay for decent prices, but Im not sure which generation/whatever I should look for/avoid.

 

[Tristicus]

Well what games are you interested in? There are a multitude of excellent exclusive titles to the PS3. These include Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 for shooters, Uncharted and inFamous for action/adventure, Heavy Rain for story (story on Uncharted is also one of the best on the PS3), LittleBigPlanet and ModNation Racers for creativity, etc.

For GT5, I believe that is a system buyer for a lot of people.

The slim is quieter and obviously slimmer, but to me, lacks functionality. I could have chosen a slim over my 60gb refurb when I had to send it into Sony, but I didn't. IMO, the 60gb is the best console: built in wi-fi, 4 usb ports, card reader, full hardware backwards compatibility, and I like the style/design better than the newer slims. If those things don't matter, get a slim - the only units I would personally avoid are the 40gb fat models, as I've heard of more of them failing than others.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Out-of-warranty repair is $150, or $180 for a 60 GB model with PS2 backwards compatibility so keep that in mind. If you buy new and have the right credit card (Visa Platinum or Signature, some AmEx cards) the standard 1-year warranty will be doubled to 2 years.

The current PS3 slim models are the 160 GB at $300, and the 320 GB with Move kit ($100) for $400. The only real difference between the 160, 320, 120, 250 Slims are in the hard drive size.

All PS3 models allow you to put in a standard 2.5" laptop drive, such as a 500 GB for $60 from newegg.

All PS3s support PS1 games. Some 80 GB models have partial PS2 support. Launch 20 GB and 60 GB models have full hardware support for PS2 games.

All PS3s have wifi G.

 

[Tristicus]

Out-of-warranty repair is $150, or $180 for a 60 GB model with PS2 backwards compatibility so keep that in mind. If you buy new and have the right credit card (Visa Platinum or Signature, some AmEx cards) the standard 1-year warranty will be doubled to 2 years.

The current PS3 slim models are the 160 GB at $300, and the 320 GB with Move kit ($100) for $400. The only real difference between the 160, 320, 120, 250 Slims are in the hard drive size.

All PS3 models allow you to put in a standard 2.5" laptop drive, such as a 500 GB for $60 from newegg.

All PS3s support PS1 games. Some 80 GB models have partial PS2 support. Launch 20 GB and 60 GB models have full hardware support for PS2 games.

All PS3s have wifi G.

Wrong, the 20gb included no wifi support.

 

[coxmaster]

Out-of-warranty repair is $150, or $180 for a 60 GB model with PS2 backwards compatibility so keep that in mind. If you buy new and have the right credit card (Visa Platinum or Signature, some AmEx cards) the standard 1-year warranty will be doubled to 2 years.

Damn, that seems expensive. Although I guess i never really looked at the price for repairing a 360.

Are there rampant problems with PS3s, similar to the RROD? If so, im much more likely to buy New instead of used

 

[coxmaster]

Wrong, the 20gb included no wifi support.

Meh, no big deal. Wired is what i would use anyway

 

[Tristicus]

Damn, that seems expensive. Although I guess i never really looked at the price for repairing a 360.

Are there rampant problems with PS3s, similar to the RROD? If so, im much more likely to buy New instead of used

The 360 has a good warranty (I think still) because of all the problems MS had. The problem is not huge with PS3s, but can happen. As long as you keep your system dust-free and well ventilated you should be fine.

 

[coxmaster]

The 360 has a good warranty (I think still) because of all the problems MS had. The problem is not huge with PS3s, but can happen. As long as you keep your system dust-free and well ventilated you should be fine.

so i take it that means theres pretty low risk buying used then right? Assuming its a reputable seller, etc

 

[Tristicus]

so i take it that means theres pretty low risk buying used then right? Assuming its a reputable seller, etc

Like everything, it is a mixed bag buying used, always. I'd say you'd be fine honestly, as long is it was a reputable seller. I got my 20gb used - traded a 360 for it. Worked fine, sold on eBay, bought a 60gb. Up until the beginning quarter of this year, it was fine. Sent it in to Sony, paid, came back (different console) looking brand spanking new. So yes, I'd say you'd be fine, better off than buying a used 360.

And for the record, I game a lot. A LOT.

 

[coxmaster]

Like everything, it is a mixed bag buying used, always. I'd say you'd be fine honestly, as long is it was a reputable seller. I got my 20gb used - traded a 360 for it. Worked fine, sold on eBay, bought a 60gb. Up until the beginning quarter of this year, it was fine. Sent it in to Sony, paid, came back (different console) looking brand spanking new. So yes, I'd say you'd be fine, better off than buying a used 360.

And for the record, I game a lot. A LOT.

Good to hear. Guess ill be keeping an eye out for a good deal then. Should be able to snag a good price on ebay in the next few months, especially with the (rumored?) upcoming price drop

 

[borisvodofsky]

Damn, that seems expensive. Although I guess i never really looked at the price for repairing a 360.

Are there rampant problems with PS3s, similar to the RROD? If so, im much more likely to buy New instead of used

If you play FF13, your console will die. Because the game overpowers the system..

I'm on 29hrs into the game.. and burning alot of airconditioning to prevent overheating. LOL

toes crossed while I play.

 

[Malak]

If you play FF13, your console will die. Because the game overpowers the system..

I'm on 29hrs into the game.. and burning alot of airconditioning to prevent overheating. LOL

toes crossed while I play.

I've played all the games people thought killed PS3's, including FF13. As long as you keep your system in a well ventilated area, just like any other electronics, you are fine. I have a fat PS3 no problems at all. They don't have issues like the 360 did. I buried my 360 after I got the PS3, there's nothing I miss with the Xbox.

I purchased a PS2 just for Gran Turismo, so I understand. One option to consider is trading in your 360 and everything for the PS3. That's what I did.

 

[Terzo]

If you're primarily interested in racing, have you checked out Forza 3? It might scratch your itch and save you from throwing down a few hundred on acquiring a second console.

 

[Tristicus]

If you're primarily interested in racing, have you checked out Forza 3? It might scratch your itch and save you from throwing down a few hundred on acquiring a second console.

Forza 3 is nowhere near what GT5 is.

 

[JoPh]

Forza 3 is nowhere near what GT5 is.

you are correct. forza 3 is real gt5 is still vapor.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Forza 3 is nowhere near what GT5 is.

LOL. No one has even PLAYED the game.

FWIW, I will eventually get a PS3 for GT5 as well as Blu-ray. It is the best Blu-ray player on the market from what I understand and they're finally releasing some movies I actually care about in a properly updated Blu-ray release.

 

[JTsyo]

This might be a good time to buy a PS3 since they are coming out with new models so look for deals on the current 120GB one. Usually Walmart has the best deal with a $100 GC with purchase though, they haven't had one since the price drop to $300.

 

[Juddog]

Personally I like the slim. Bigger fan, it's fairly quiet, and small footprint. Being a computer modder I can appreciate the changes they made from the fat to the slim.

Downside is less USB ports, but if you're just playing solo or with one friend it's not an issue. Wifi on the PS3's in general still kinda sucks, so I recommend going CAT6 if you're doing a gigabit connection.

To be honest the main reason I got the PS3 was God of War 3. Probably one of the best games I have ever played, although short, and I've beaten it on regular, Titan (hard) and now am working on Chaos. Uncharted 2 is also an amazing game experience than makes you understand what they can do with a PS3 when they put the hardware to full use. GT5 looks like it will be sweet as well. I only have a handful of games for my PS3 but I use it more as a media center; compared with buying an HTPC, the PS3 was just cheaper. It streams movies and music great and I also watch Netflix on it.

I haven't bothered upgrading the hard drive yet since I can just plug in a USB external drive to watch movies or stream them from my computer, so I haven't run into space issues.

 

[waggy]

I've played all the games people thought killed PS3's, including FF13. As long as you keep your system in a well ventilated area, just like any other electronics, you are fine.

not true.

there are many reports of people who keep it in a ewell ventilated system having issues with FF13.

I am one. my PS3 is in the open. i keep the vents clean and it is in a cool place. for some reason FF freezes up on me. I have had NO other game or movie do it.


I love my PS3 though. i have a old fat 80 gig one.

 

[coxmaster]

Sounds like as long as I take care of it, there shouldn't be a problem.

As for GT5 vs Forza. I have played Forza 3 so much, its not even funny. The lack of detail, and small number of tracks bore me.

Also. I'm considering trading/selling my 360, just not sure if I want to yet. Ill have to think about that

 

[Tristicus]

you are correct. forza 3 is real gt5 is still vapor.

Yeah, sure it is.

LOL. No one has even PLAYED the game.

FWIW, I will eventually get a PS3 for GT5 as well as Blu-ray. It is the best Blu-ray player on the market from what I understand and they're finally releasing some movies I actually care about in a properly updated Blu-ray release.

Oh, so all those videos of people playing at the game conferences and stuff must have been fake. My bad.

 

[Narmer]

Just get a new one and put your mind at ease. Depending on what used PS3s are going for, it may not be worth it. Buf if you're determined, check out your local Craigslist.