I have been using a Gaggia Classic E24 for a while now, and was set on getting a Yellow (bold choice, I know) La Marzocco Mini R. However, after weeks of indecisiveness and a lot of back and forth, the Micra seems very tempting and I am so conflicted on which machine to pull the trigger on.
For some context, I will be going to law school in August and will realistically be living in an apartment in D.C. for the next 3 years, and for a few years after graduation as well. I make 1-2 cups per "session" usually, and occasionally host get togethers for friends and such so either machine would be a massive upgrade from my Gaggia 1 drink set up, where I have to drain the single boiler to regulate the temp again to make another milk drink.
The Micra appeals to me because it is more compact, apartment friendly, and is honestly better for me for the foreseeable future. I also prefer the Micra's aesthetics a little more with the stainless backsplash on the colored options. My concern though, is that I will eventually regret not going all the way to the Mini R if I am trying to buy a "one and done" machine that would last me the next 10+ years. The $2,000 price difference is obviously big, but a part of me thinks, "If I am already spending $4,500, should I just go all the way and get the Mini R?"
Some other factors about my personal preferences/concerns are that I am slightly concerned about the cup clearance on the Micra, though my Gaggia is already tight and hasn't bothered me much. I would probably not use brew by weight often, if at all. I appreciate the shot timer on the Mini R, but don't think it is absolutely necessary since most scales have timers anyways. However, part of me thinks that the Mini R seems more capable and well-built long term, but the Micra seems more practical for the next few years. Lastly, how different is the build quality on both? I heard the Micra has more plastic, so it may not be as robust as the Mini R, but have not verified myself.
Any/all advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!