I just want to say that the nicer the machine and the easier it is to use, the more children want to sew.
I love my Baby Lock and hate to wait to use it and change thread etc but it seems to me that it is worth it to spend a little or a lot more for a better machine cuz the kids continue to sew more and more as they get older. Most good machines hold their value.
Maybe call some dealers for good used machines that may come with a shop warranty?
Always a hard choice but I now let the kids use the machine I take to classes.