For $1000 you can probably buy a used Janome 6500P on ebay or maybe even on craigslist. It has a 9 in. throat, needle up/down, thread cutter and everything about it is wonderful. The only problem I ever had is that it does not have freearm capability.
I now own a Babylock Ellisimo and I love it - but doubt it will survive as long as a Janome because it has much more plastic. Janomes are known for using mostly metal.