I've had people ask me about espresso machines, so here for you, cohost, is my secret tip on getting an affordable espresso machine.
There's a couple espresso machines I know of that have been around for decades which are also well-built enough that they last for decades: the Gaggia Classic and the Rancilio Silvia. And because they last so long, they tend to outlast some peoples' interest in making coffee at home. Pop on Craigslist/Kijiji/Gumtree/your other local equivalent, and search. I bet you'll find one for cheap, or even free. Sometimes they'll need some repairs or tuning up before they're making great coffee for you, but the're built to be repaired and you can get parts easily. Getting a cheap or free machine secondhand and putting in just a little work to fix it up will save you hundreds of dollars, and you'll reap the rewards in the form of delicious, delicious coffee.