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Howard
Lots of common problems with sash windows. Top sashes which don't close all the way on their own usually have broken sash cords. Sashes that feel heavy have often had the glass replaced with 4mm and not increased the weights. It's fairly easy to fit draught exclusion, you can buy all the bits from Mighton for example.
Cost of totally renovating existing sashes is around the same price as replacement. Either replacement or renovation is a fairly messy process.
Replacing a rotten cill should take a carpenter about 1/2 a day without the decorating. Lower sash rails are the most prone to rotting and Repaircare is the best way to fix them. If you are repairing cills and bottom rails with repair care + painting a couple of coats of Zinsser all coat it can be as cheap as £100/120 per window, ymmv, that's not for painting the whole window though. If they get prepped and painted properly when you do the exterior decorating the paint should last 8-10 years as long as you've painted them gloss white. 6-8 years for all other colours.
Since you are buying a new place you can pretty much bet that they've either not been painted properly recently or they've had a quick going over which won't last much more than a couple of years.
Don't avoid maintaining sash windows and they last very well.