Gads, so many choices.
I agree with size of the sewing area is first. Price is ALWAYS a consideration. Then the next most is if I can 'bond' with it.
My mother has an old Bernina but i couldn't bond with it and knew I would dial the wrong stitches when one of my kids would interrupt me. As the kids are older I am surprised by how often I am now interrupted by other things/people.
If price were the main consideration then I would also know which stitches I for sure wanted: triple stitch, blanket stitch, and the old standby zigzag stitch.
ali