Not true.

And Genuine Apple refurbs have certified-to-be-restored batteries in them (ie they will have new batteries as part of refurbishing if needed), and they carry new machine applecare warranty like new machines do - so even if the battery is no longer good, you go to apple, they replace it on their dime.

That's why they are "apple refurbs".

I got a MacBook pro 2013 15” max spec 16gb/nvidia gpu. 430 cycles (not a lot) and if it needs replacing Mac store will do it not that expensively. I paid 900$ u.s. on eBay. Model had a bit of scratches but who cares made it way cheaper . OP just buy a refurbished max spec 2013/2014 15” off eBay .

Only gripe I have is that it sometimes doesn’t ground well with the unibody casing

Last year I replaced my 2012 Macbook Pro that still had the original battery. I think it was approaching it's expected life of 1,000 cycles, but it was still at about 80% capacity. It still worked fine.

Most Apple batteries are about $130 to replace (when Apple had removable laptop batteries their lifespan was 200 cycles and new batteries cost about the same). The newer laptops might have more adhesive, but replacing the internal battery was ridiculously easy. https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service