I started out with an old metal Singer. Started quilting and bought a Featherweight to take to classes and on trips as it is so small. I LOVE Babylock as it is the most user friendly sewing/embroidery, whatever. I have 7570 Pfaff and an old 1222 Pfaff. They have the IDT or walking foot, great for quilting as it keeps the top and bottom fabrics feeding at the same pace without slipping. The new Pfaffs require intensive learning curve. I had an old Bernina, all metal but I wouldn't buy one now that the matriarch retired four years ago or so.
She was quality control. I took over two years and did sewing on old machines and went to sewing shops to try machines over and over again. For me that meant driving 50 to 120 miles one way once a week. A gal on the first page talked about the features, critical in my opinion, try them. I would go for the quality of the stitches if I were starting and use for a year and trade up if you think you would like to do embroidery.
Do the embroidery at the shop but think about practical applications. How much would you use it. Think about trade in value, how well will your machine hold value? Buy used if you can get a good warranty from your local dealer. DO NOT BUY SINGER no one is servicing. I'd stay away from Jamone too, lots of issues with the new machines.
Good Luck