It comes down to how often you use it IMHO.
A crappy reel will last if you a lifetime use it twice a month and you take care of it.
I've seen guys destroy top quality gear in short span of time.
They dunk it, never rinse it off and never lube it. I end up repairing guides and trying to get the reels working again .... usually TOSS the reels or use it for parts if it is any good. I'm sick of seeing torn up rear grips - why do people JAM their rods into the rocks..... I started using ROPE on the bottom sections. I won't make the mistake of telling some one I can fix it for them again .... LOL. I pick up stuff on the side since I know my buddy is going to call me late at nite and needs "x" so he can fish in the am. It is an excuse to have extra gear around.
What would you rather use: some POS $20 outfit or a 2 liter bottle?
The Spheros 8000 is on season 4 now: I doubt I will be fishing it 20 yrs from now (I rotate thru several reels). The used Penn 704 are almost as old as me - those will be around unless my wife throws all my gear away at the dump when I die.....lol.
Buy what you can afford! I envy the guy fishing all the time rather than looking at what he is using for gear.
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