Yeah, my PS2 does that to my games. I've gotta get a new copy of FFX sometime soon, it's chewed through that one pretty fast. (since December). Actually, maybe I'll just buy a new PS2, come to think of it.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a lot you can do about it, except pay to have it fixed.

I say go for it, get a PS2, PS3's are gonna be a while and they'll cost about $1000 anyway. And whatever you do, don't get a Gamecube.