Celestron Nexstar 114GT? buy?

Please don't just treat this with a Hoot and a snort!
Costco is currently selling the subject telescope (I hope I'm not using the
word loosely, grin) for $198.99. The only thing I've ever used is a Tasco
80mm refractor. This particular Nexstar looks like a considerable
improvement over the Tasco, which just barely shows rings on Saturn and just
barely shows Jupiter's moons.
I'd like to look at Mars this month with something a step better, and
budget won't allow much more.
What do you think? Waste of time and money? Possible good start for a
rank amateur?
Since time is slipping away, I've got to move pretty soon.

Lynn (amateur in too many things)