Is TIVO a thing of the past?

I have basic Comcast cable, and am "married" to them because of a package deal on TV, Internet, and local phone service.
Last week, for the first time in months, I tried to record a program on my VCR.
It refused to respond to any play, rewind, FF, etc., commands. Today, I unplugged it, and after a few minutes plugged it back in, and it appears to be functioning ok, though I suspect that it is on it's last legs.
I was thinking about buying a DVR machine, but saw several ads where folks are selling their 2nd generation TIVOs with lifetime subscriptions-one for $175, and another party for $190. A used DVR can be had for ~$125-frankly haven't looked very hard or long.
I'm looking for advice on which way to go. For all I know, TIVO could go bankrupt tomorrow. I don't do that much recording-so an inexpensive alternative to a VCR would be nice.
Which way would you go, if you were me?

 

the question is what will become of tv as a mindless wasteland in the next several years ?
TV for the most part has or had become a lucrative ad machine and little more

 

Having done some more searching, I've come across TIVO 2 boxes for as little as $25 on CraigsList, and similar final prices on ebay. The major expense, of course, is the ~$13 per month fee, lower if you sign up for longer periods.
It hasn't escaped me that nearly 3 months have passed since I actually wanted to record anything. I find myself watching TV and movie programs via Internet streaming services, so, even though I missed recording the program the other night, I did see it on the net-with fewer commercial interruption. I might just let things be as is. My wife occasionally asks thatI record something for her, but I have yet to see her actually find time to watch it.
I guess what I would really like to find is some alternative to VHS tape.
Any experience out there with recordable DVD disks?

 

Steve, I find that the less time I spend talking to the Atlanta Comcast reps, the happier I am. Invariably, any change I make is accompanied by a later overcharge, misunderstanding, and, in general, a huge hassle. I will, however, give them a call and see what the actual cost is. I'm sure they will hit me with some up front activation fee, delivery fee, installation fee, and then monthly rent.
There are so many low cost alternatives on craigslist, including a $40 TIVO unit that still has 12 months of service included. I'm still waiting for responses from the various folks I've emailed. Among other things, I'll need a wireless adapter because the location of my TV and all the other electronics is in the corner of the room without a phone jack.

 

Well, I just got off the phone with Comcast. $10 for s&h for the DVR, and then $13.95/month for the service, and I have to send the little converter box back to them. If they come out to install, $29.99 for the setup.
Not interested, but then I'm spring loaded to getting ticked off whenever I have to call them.