Should I buy a VPI SCOUTMASTER. I OWN 25 RECORDS.

@rwortman what if you had 25 records but almost exclusively listened to music that analog recorded?

so, you don’t already have an extensive collection but most of what you want to listen to is pre-1990...

Rega P8 is getting great reviews from users and the write ups.

Unless you can go to a dealer and listen to setups, you will go round and round reading everyone’s opinion, bias, comments on others post etc.
Research the brands, open your wallet as much as you can, and take the plunge. Don’t like what you’re hearing,get rid of it, hopefully without too much of a loss.

"VPI sucks" is silly and false, and doesn’t come out of any of the comments that I can see except for maybe one post that is short on data and substance. if you want to get good advice from internet forums you need to grasp the underlying principles involved. for instance, the VPI Classic and Rega RP8 are very different beasts based on different design principles, each with their own pros and cons. there’s no simple "this one is better." is a Stratocaster "better" than a Les Paul? a Ferrari "better" than a Porsche? Depends on who you are and what you want.

Judging from your responses I’m beginning to think you may, in fact, be better off ditching analog. if you do want to stick with a turntable an older used VPI might be a good choice - the original Aries has a very good reputation (can’t be made today at anywhere near its old price point) and there’s one on sale here on a’gon right now though probably above your budget. FWIW I have a modded Aries 1 and a modded Rega Planar II and there’s no comparison between them. The Rega is great for my ’second system’, the VPI is good enough that I don’t know how to replace it without spending megabucks.

With exception of Soundsmith carts, the typical replacement stylus for an MM/MI cart is 80% the cost of the cartridge.

@helomech just check Peter's interview and he said at 17:00 here SoundSmith cartridges will be rebuild ONLY for 20% of the cost (not 80% as you said).

I stated, "with exception of Soundsmith carts." 

Learn how to read.

Everyone here has poisoned me on VPI. Guess they suck. Now I am looking at a new Acoustic Signature primus or a Rega RP8. Any thoughts on those tables?

FWIW, my local dealer loves the old variations of the VPI Scout with unipivot arm. He's still a VPI dealer but readily admits the new models are not nearly as good as previous generations. He especially despises the 3D ("plastic" in his words) arms. 
 
He also sells TOTL SME tables. The main rig in his listening room is a 30/2 but he says he's still impressed with the value of the original Scouts. I'm sure he'd probably take one over a new Prime. 

Acoustic Signature makes nice tables. I have a Wow XL and it handily outclassed a VPI Classic 1 in my system. I'd wager anything AS makes will outperform a VPI of the same price.

The RP8 is a smoking deal at $1999, in theory, but some users have reported warping of the foam plinths, same for the P6. If not for this concern, an RP8 should be a top contender.

Another table you should consider is the Gem Dandy Polytable Super12. George Merrill is an excellent engineer and he made many smart choices when designing that table.