You need to record to the tape or it will be an exercise in futility. If you take the time to do it right with a decent machine I think you will be rewarded for your effort.
You should understand track width in terms of a reel to reel deck. A 2 track 1/4" deck (like B77) has 1/8" per track. This will probably be the most forgiving format for you. A refurbished S (4 track 1/4") would probably be ok too but there will be a a bit more noise but may be worth it if you intend to start your projects recoding to tape (not DAW). Avoid cassette or high track-narrow width formats like A8 if you are after "saturation". I am assuming you simply mean the sound of tape here. You should read up on tape machines and formats.
There is a way to record on the tape and essentially use it as an effect. You would send the tape machine 2 (or however many) channels of material from your DAW. While it's recording, you send the signal from the playback head back into your DAW and record it. When the song is done there is no reason to even listen to the tape because you've already recorded it back into the DAW in real time. Then time align, etc. Many would say you missed the entire point by not recording directly to tape initially, but it doesn't sound like that's your actual goal, so a process like this is something you could experiment with.
If you decide to buy online be careful who you buy from, most people have no idea how to ship reel to reels and you are likely to receive a broken machine. I bought four 1/4 decks last year, 3 arrived damaged beyond (reasonable) repair. You are better off paying more for something that has been serviced or refurbished and they will know how to ship as well. If you are in Europe look for a Revox.
As others have said there are lots of other easier options for introducing character into your sounds, though I can't say any of them sound like tape to me.
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