Applecare is the main reason to buy a mac, at least for me. My MBP is a 07 refurb is a survivor. They replaced the superdrive, the screen, keyboard, fans, the logic board twice (upped it from 2.2 to 2.4ghz), and even my power cord all free. Half of the issues were caused by me. It gets really hot unless you put it on the right surface and let the vents breathe.

I wouldn't buy another mac without applecare unless it was something like a used mini for less than the cost of applecare. I say it would eventually develop an issue and cost $$$ to fix.

Anything that's $700 without a warranty is pretty much a scam.