I replaced my machine with a Bernina 440QE demo last year and got a good deal on it. Then I got the embroidery module off ebay for Christmas--another good deal. I love both, but the embroidery module had me in tears until I could find a class to learn how to use it. I like it now, and I recommend doing it separately if you're going to do it. The seperate module means you use a laptop for your work, but it's a much bigger screen to work from than the tiny screen on the sewing machine. My preference.
I have the stitch regulator, and I like it okay, but I'm not sold on whether it's terribly useful. I find myself using my walking foot just as often.
If you can, buy a good machine--the best you can afford--and it will give you years of good use. You may end up ahead in the very long run.