I just got old T460, exactly to screwing around with linux. yes, display is scratched, yes touchpad is shiny and battery last barely one hour and unfortunately joints are little bit loose. I was so excited, I installed linux on it right away but got really disappointed by the battery. whole idea of buying this was to be able to be in the living room with my family and still be able to play with linux.
so I ordered new battery, not oem, it costed me 40 euro and if I get 3 hours from it I will be happy.
thinkpads are great, I love the keyboard, linux hardware support is great and you can replace pretty much anything in them. I'm considering buying new trackpad from aliexpress (for $15) and I could even swap display (little bit more expensive).
honestly worst thing about old laptop (particularly one I bought) is that horrible smell of years being owned by chain smoker.
honestly only thing preventing me to buy bidet is that vision that after every other toilet visit will be disgusting.
long time ago I spent some time in japan and having integrated bidet in every toilet was amazing, but for me it is all or nothing, either want to live in the world of bidet or in the world of toilet paper, not in the middle.