Question about Matrix Infinity and the PS2 Slim 90004

[HadiExtreme]

***If this doesn't belong in this forum please redirect me to the correct one, I'm new here***

Hey, I recently decided I wanted to try and softmod my old 50004 phat PS2 only to find out that after months of not using it (and stupidly letting my sisters charges their MP3s on it with a stupid game in) that I got a disc read error. I tried fixing it as best I could but it didn't work out, and I'm going to try some more later.
I want to buy another PS2 now because, well, a couple of years ago I couldn't figure out how to do a softmod and didn't want to risk doing it anyway, but now that I know how to do it... And now that I wanted to try it my several years old PS2 gets screwed at once with no warning, so I'm kind of wary and scared to get a used PS2 for fear of getting that dreaded DRE again. Anyway, I stumbled upon a Slim PS2 90004 with a Matrix Infinity for sale while looking for a good cheap PS2 and I wanted to see if it's any good - I don't know much about mod chips to be honest. It's price is approx 206$.

Now, let me tell you what it says in the product description. I may get some stuff wrong as my Hebrew isn't the best (the site is in Hebrew), but it says that the PS2 90004 has a Matrix Infinity 'operating system'. After listing what it can do, it says something about a Modbo4 chip.

Is this a good deal? It's kind of expensive and I know I can probably order a new PS3 or 360 online if I add about 50$, but the PS2 has a great library of games, many of which I want to play. Also, is this "Modbo4 Matrix Infinity" chip any good? What about the 90004 model itself? Is it good? Does it have a high failure rate? I don't want to get a new PS2 only to have it break on me. Also, I've read stuff about not being able to use Free McBoot with this model - but can I still install an exploit for my cousins on their memory cards via this console?

I know this is a long question but thanks in advance!

[HadiExtreme]

Over a hundred views and yet no replies? Please just tell me if the chip and this model are good. Thanks =/

[extinction]

For the price of $206, it is too pricey. It's true the PS2 library is fantastic. I have them myself. But you don't know the condition of the PS2 they are selling so. It could crap out on you in a few months with it laser. So my suggestion is to go out and buy a new one online and softmod yourself. It's not hard to softmod. Hope this help. Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[HadiExtreme]

Okay. I've been thinking about doing that. Maybe I can soft mod my current PS2. The thing is, it only reads CDs. Would you happen to know if I can use the cogswap method shown in this playlist: (I can't post links =/ It's called how to softmod your fat Ps2 by StevenSeagull0815 on YouTube) with a CD game, with the burnt games being on CDs? Maybe if I can use this method with CDs instead of DVDs then I can get a network adapter and plug in my old HDD?
This uses Free McBoot by the way. Can I use that to install the HDDLoader or w/e program is needed to launch from an HDD or a USB?
Thanks for replying by the way.