FWIW, I just got my first £500+ instrument ever (a new Sandberg Lionel for £1200). I love it, it feels right, it sounds right, I WANT to play it. BUT this could be indeed true for many other basses in other price categories.
I bought it new as it was exactly the config I wanted: matte blue finish, black hardware, Precision shortie.
Normally I am a "value for money" guy so likely this is my last ever brand new bass, I'll go back to budgets/used ones after this. But at least once it had to be done 😁