I will try to answer some of your questions...
The HT1250 is absolutely a good radio - personally I am very fond of the HT1250 LS+.
It is a very capable radio and reasonably durable.
It is still supported by MOTOROLA.
To get one radio is no good unless you have other people with radios to talk to.
Is this radio VHF or UHF? What band is being used by your buddies? The HT1250 is NOT a dual band radio - it is either built and operates on either VHF or UHF, but not both.
It is analog only, not digital.
Without a repeater, it will be simplex / line of sight only.
I am not encouraging you to violate any laws, but you will need an FCC license for some itinerate or local frequencies.
The radio is capable or operation on GMRS / FRS. It is NOT capable of working on HAM frequencies.
For value - $200 is not bad depending on condition. The speaker mic alone is worth about $60-70.
The weak link will be the battery, it has a life span....so many charge cycles, but it can easily be replaced.
Just as a side note - I still use the HT1250s pappy, the HT750.