I bought an SLB200 on ebay for $800. It had some issues like no body frame so I had to make a body rest, a nut that needed adjustment, a new endpin I made from a 1/2" round metal bar and new strings. But that said, I really like the SLB200: the neck feels like an upright, the body is chambered and is loud enough to play it with no amplification for practice, especially arco. Its my bass I take out to the beach on weekends or when I don't want to schlep a full upright.
$1600 sounds like a great price for an SLB100 if it doesn't have issues.
If portability is not an issue as you mention, I don't recommend one of these as a starter if you are really serious about learning how to play upright. As mentioned above, for $1600 you can find a nice laminate bass, which will do fine in your climate and relatively easy to find in Arizona. There is a nice looking blond 50s Kay on Phoenix craigslist, looks like an M1, and String Emporium is in AZ and they carry several model laminate uprights in your range and you should be able to go try some out there.
I recommend a true upright because electric upright basses simply do not behave or sound like an upright bass, and once you actually get an upright you will need to learn how to play that compared to an EUB. Getting a teacher to work with is very helpful too. I've played electric bass since the 70s, but that work has no bearing on learning how to play an upright when I started to transition 2-3 yrs ago. Yes an upright is strung EADG and you read bass clef like an electric bass but that is about where the similarities end...best wishses...
