If you are used to a portastudio type environment, the Model series might disappoint. They are FOH mixers with rudimentary SD card recording and USB connectivity capabilities
"That".
I was a 2488 guy for over 15 years - from the 1st release up through the 'neo - and when it came time to upgrade again, I looked reeeeealll hard at the Modelxx's....VERY nearly came out of it w/a '24.
But I put manymany weeks of consideration into it and ultimately settled on the DP-32, with the condition that I could find an OG (w/the MIDI capability) - almost 8 years after it'd been replaced by the vastly inferior DP-32SD.
It took me 6 months, but I eventually got a reasonably good deal on a mint-condition OG '32, and save for a snag here n there, I'm as happy as a pig in Bantha Poo-Doo.
They are indeed vastly different in their intended role/function, and many have failed to adequately assess their strengths/weaknesses and capabilities/features before choosing - and paid for it. The forums are FULL of posts of people who bought a Modelxx, and within days/weeks are posting about "how to make it do xx or yy" and "why does it/doesn't it do xx or yy" and "I love it but I wish it did/didn't do xx or yy".
You have my condolences on your '88's demise. I was devastated when mine started to enter the dementia stage (buttons stared to not respond, yada), and it started to impact my workflow. I sold it to a very light user who's very happy with it...and I'm rippin' along with my OG '32.
Listen to a wise ol' sage like MJ (and a crazy ol' fool like me) and do your homework - d/load the OM's, read blogs/reviews/etc, and make a realistic assessment of what you want/need.