Consider getting not the lowest supported device, as google and graphene eventually stop support of older devices. This means you are stuck with outdated hardware.

Check for a pixel 7 refurb on amazon, your local phone stores/e-commerce shops 

 This makes sense. I’ll take a look 

 Yeah 7a new unboxed on ebay for like 309, you flashing it anyway so no need for it to be new new. 

 Get a refurb 8 for 50% more and it'll last 2x as long. 

 I went with the 8 for this reason.

Refurbished on Amazon for 3.5 XMR or so and guaranteed updates until 2030 I think 

 by comparison the Pixel 7 is only getting updates for another 3 years and the Pixel 6 for 2.