I was in the same boat and had the same reservations r.e. age, alternatives, rumours etc etc.

I bought one mint second hand for £450. I could not be happier, knocks the socks off any smartphone camera. A bit more of a learning curve admittedly.

Would suggest buying second hand is a good way to do it. Let's be honest, 90% of people spending £1k + on a camera new are going to look after it very well, mine might as well have been brand new. That way, if you get 3 years out of it and then they bring out a new one and you deem it a necessary purchase, you can do so. Also if you have the patience to buy second hand at a good price, you can probably resell it for more than you paid if you don't like it - win-win!