Newbie looking for cheap dependable table


I have been lucky enough to be asked to "store" about 1,000 of my father's LP's. While growing up he would buy a few new albums every week & we would listen to them over the weekend together. They are in perfect condition, he would always clean them & store them perfectly so I know they are worth having.

My dilema is that as much as I want to get into vinyl playback it seems like a MAJOR PITA. I am intimidated by everything that I am reading here about setting up the stylus, proper cleaning & care of everything. I am not much of a tweaker with my system now unless I get off on a tangent for a little while. I also never get enough time right now to listen to my system as it is, I will need a table that is ready & waiting for me when I have few free hours. Now that being said I was intimidated when I first got into this hobby a few years ago & everyone here was kind enough to help me get my feet wet.

So the question at this point is with about $1000.00 to spend should I purchase a used Rega, Music Hall or refreshed Thorens for about $500.00? I figure with the rest of the money, I will try one of the cheaper phono stages plus necessary tools, cleaners & any other widgets.

Obviously like anything else in this crazy hobby if I find this is for me I will spend way more than I ever expected. For the moment though I am looking for a good table that will let me get used to this new world & hopefully make me want to get in over my head. If I find this isn't where I want to be I will either sell it all or offer it to my father. At this point I am still thinking I will be listening to 90% digital & only 10% analog.
fishwater
lots of good turntables, but the thorens is the coolest and and will always be in demand.
Jayb, the Thorens certainly look cool. I like the "vintage" as well. I am just wondering if there are "better" turntables for the same money all things being equal. I do like what I have seen in the Thorens though, the prices are certainly attractive if they are in fact on par with other tables (which certainly seems to be the case)
OK, I ended up with a completely stock Thorens TD-160 with a Grado blue cart that I picked up here from a local seller. I ordered a Bellari tube pre as well as some other goodies to clean with. The only plan I have for the turntable is some iso spikes & extreme phono mat, otherwise it will remain stock. I am looking forward to getting everything up & running this weekend, I will let everyone know how it goes for me. Thanks for all the help.