What is the best rendition of an espresso machine for $200?

[doubleosoul]

I know $200 isn't much for a machine but... here's the scoop. My mother has been using a Maxim Express  (see photo) which should never be called espresso anything. I have little green these days but I want to get her into something a little better for Christmas. I was looking at older Gaggias and Starbucks Baristas on Fleabay/CL but I wanted to know what the forum's take was. Never mind the Krups grinder you see in the photo, I have a La San Marco SM-90 for her so she has decent grind.
I appreciate any dialogue on this. I want to buy something in about 3 weeks time.
Thanks:)

[milowebailey]

You can pick up Gaggias for ~$100.  Better than the Starbucks or Saecos (58mm portafilter) some of them have OPV valves but one can be added and if you put a Silvia steam wand on it, it's a good machine.  Great if you add PID.  It will do many times better than what she's been using.... get a decent tamper for her too.

I have one sitting in the basement if you are interested.  It needs the mods, but I could get it together for you in a week or so.  PID would take another week.  $175 with Sivia Wand and OPV valve (set to 9 bar)  with PID or $325 with PID installed.  It's a Gaggia Coffee.  Like-new condition.

[Tex]

You can pick up Gaggias for ~$100.  Better than the Starbucks or Saecos (58mm portafilter) some of them have OPV valves but one can be added and if you put a Silvia steam wand on it, it's a good machine.  Great if you add PID.  It will do many times better than what she's been using.... get a decent tamper for her too.

I have one sitting in the basement if you are interested.  It needs the mods, but I could get it together for you in a week or so.  PID would take another week.  $175 with Sivia Wand and OPV valve (set to 9 bar)  with PID or $325 with PID installed.  It's a Gaggia Coffee.  Like-new condition.

+1

[doubleosoul]

milowebailey,
Sounds like a good deal to me. Do you have any photos? I got the tamper covered - forgot to mention that. Don't need a PID as Mama would never use it. She doesn't like fuss with her coffee routine like I do.

Thanks a whole bunch.
 

[Tex]

milowebailey,
Sounds like a good deal to me. Do you have any photos? I got the tamper covered - forgot to mention that. Don't need a PID as Mama would never use it. She doesn't like fuss with her coffee routine like I do.

Thanks a whole bunch.
 

There's nothing to use with a PID - it becomes part of the machine, replacing the woefully inaccurate bimetallic thermostat. All it does is make the espresso better; no fuss no bother.

[mp]

In fact ... it is the PID that will give the perfect brewing temperature for espresso that will make a shot as good as many much higher priced machines.  PID once set is very easy to use.

 

[Tex]

In fact, I'll go so far as to say all 3 mods are part & parcel of the same mod; together they'll turn a $50 used Espresso into a kick ass espresso machine. Leave one  out of the equation and you're left with a so-so machine.

[milowebailey]

I'll post photos later today.

[MMW]

In fact, I'll go so far as to say all 3 mods are part & parcel of the same mod; together they'll turn a $50 used Espresso into a kick ass espresso machine. Leave one  out of the equation and you're left with a so-so machine.

But still an order of magnitude better than a $30 steam toy

[milowebailey]

Here is a photo... the portafilter handle is ugly.  I'll try to find another handle for it.... or another portafilter, I must have used the one that came with this machine on one of the other machines I rebuilt..

Edit:  I found a good handle (like new)... so it's good to go.

[Tex]

In fact, I'll go so far as to say all 3 mods are part & parcel of the same mod; together they'll turn a $50 used Espresso into a kick ass espresso machine. Leave one  out of the equation and you're left with a so-so machine.

But still an order of magnitude better than a $30 steam toy

You'd think so, but any machine with unregulated pressure and temp is only marginally better than a steam toy. I'm dead serious about this - if you can't tune your machine to temps & pressure limits put forth by CW, save your money and get a pour over or Aeropress; you'll enjoy the coffee more.

[Tex]

Here is a photo... the portafilter handle is ugly.  I'll try to find another handle for it.... or another portafilter, I must have used the one that came with this machine on one of the other machines I rebuilt..

Edit:  I found a good handle (like new)... so it's good to go.

Nice looking Coffee Larry - all it needs is a bit of modding and someone gets a kick-ass machine! If doubleosoul doesn't want it, save it for the next Coffee Kids auction. It'll match up well with the gold Classic I'm rebuilding for the auction.

[CAGurl]

In fact, I'll go so far as to say all 3 mods are part & parcel of the same mod; together they'll turn a $50 used Espresso into a kick ass espresso machine. Leave one  out of the equation and you're left with a so-so machine.

But still an order of magnitude better than a $30 steam toy

You'd think so, but any machine with unregulated pressure and temp is only marginally better than a steam toy. I'm dead serious about this - if you can't tune your machine to temps & pressure limits put forth by CW, save your money and get a pour over or Aeropress; you'll enjoy the coffee more.

Ignore him.
Take it without the PID.
Dont' spend money you don't have.
Going into debt for an espresso gift to your Mom who probably won't understand how to make the adjustments that the PID wants is just silly.  Not everyone needs every bell and whistle.
Your Mom will be perfectly happy with that handsome Coffee that Larry is offering !!!!

Susan

[doubleosoul]

OK, looks good and no on the PID. I know they're great and all but $325 ain't happenin'. I just moved not 2 months ago over 1000 miles. I barely have a nickel to my name so $175 is it.
I'll pm you on this Milowebailey. Thanks!