My dad has a turntable that we've never opened and over 1,000 vinyl records we have yet to listen to. But we won't for a while - CDs and SACDs sound clearer, and I'm willing to forego the warmth if vinyl for CDs. SACDs have the clearness and the warmth, but sadly they never really caught on.
You can use pretty much anything for a record needle.
Noooo!!! Go online and or take the stylis and needle to a shop. They will find you the needle needed. It's quite easy to put it back on, but the cost of a needle varies some are expensive and others are cheap. ($50) Diamond tips work great and last a while. Please don't do what pHacon said. Something other than a needle will harshly scratch your record.