i don't know what's within your budget, but their original model is on clearance now because they've come such a long way. the only thing mine has that the sale one doesn't is the stitch regulator. i haven't even been using it, and with VERY little practice you really don't need it. i paid an extra $1000 for it and now i'm sorry. neither mine nor the basic one on sale is computerized. ho hum!
the clearance sale from the factory is $4999. + s/h. if you see him at a show, you can talk him down right there. like no s/h or one hundred extra needles, or something, or plain old less money. make an offer for less. he's eager to sell because now they have the computer ones. try it out while you're there. try online pricing, too.
it's a very nice machine and frame. not like the gammlil. etc. but affordable.
they are all a little finicky about thread and so on, like any complex machinery. you can easily do a 12" block on it.