http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....+to+buy&u=&s=0
Welcome to the QB from Louisiana:) Here is a link to a search on the the QB with lots of information about which machine to buy. See if it is any help.
It basically boils down to what you prefer. I have 3 Singers,
2 of them are old, pre 1950. The other is about six years old. There are so many good machines out there. Enjoy the hunt:)