the young people in my world all own brother machines from walmart, the least expensive $89 the most expensive $139...there are 5 of them, and they have all held up well, with lots of different kinds of sewing done on them, they are user friendly, easy to maintain and work very well. 2 of them even had speed control so i could slow them down for the younger kids to use.
I always recommend an inexpensive brother machine for a new 'seamstress' it s a good beginner machine and will hold up for a few years until you are ready to upgrade, or if you decide after some time you no longer want to sew you are not out alot and still have it for mending ect.
i do recommend a new inexpensive machine; you can study the book and learn it without dealing with someone else's broke in machine.