I have old Singers but love my Babylock sewing machines. I have been told that both Babylock and Brothers are made in the same factory. I don't know what the differences are. I have the Decorators Choice. They renamed the whole series of Choice sewing machines.
I found a brand new Babylock on Ebay for $600., still in box tho two years old.
I would never, never, never buy a newer Singer as Singer has not made their machines for years. I agree with the gal who said buy a machine that is used and get more for your money. I keep two forties, fifties Singers just in case. Even if you buy a used machine you usual get discounts on fabrics and classes at that shop.
When we buy a cheap machine, they usually cannot be fixed.
The motors in the BL workhorses are great, I know many gals love Janome but I have only sewn on two. Because I don't want to spend a bunch of time learning to use my machine I demand user friendly. I love my old Pfaff for the walking foot but the newer machines are too complicated, unless one is computer literate.
I love a machine with a thread cutting and auto presser foot up and down, auto threader and tack stitch if I want.
I would borrow an older Singer and save till you can buy what you want. Do YOUR homework and go sew on all the machines and I don't just mean with their little samples. Bring your own fabric with some seams to see how easily it sews over multiple seam intersections and how precise the dec stitches are.
Only AFTER I had driven to dealers many times for months to make my decision did I check out Ebay and Craigslist. And I live 120 miles from a major city. Be cautious and ask the questions about the machine BEFORE you buy. Right now quite a few dealers are trying to sell their renamed models of Babylock on ebay. Ask about warranty and check with your dealer as to whether they will accept the warrenty for machine bought brand new on line.
SO GET STARTED ON HOMEWORK AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. Just so you know I have made three quilts in a month on my brand new machine. LOVE IT.
WISHING YOU THE BEST DECISION. I saved while I did my back and forth to dealers to get familiar with all the machines and left my number for them to call with good prices on used.