If good coffee is the goal and one doesn't insist specifically on espresso or having steamed milk, the humble pourover is a good starting point. The pourover funnel, filters, and a decent hand grinder are relatively inexpensive and, with only a little practice, the output is as good as any americano produced by the average barista at 1/5 the price per cup.

That's pretty much why I got a semiauto machine. Is it the best espresso ever? Probably not. But I can make lattes in my underwear on Saturday morning that are still better and cheaper than what I'd get at Starbucks. Scratches the itch without being as demanding as a hobby.