i shopped for a new machine last summer and decided on the Janome 1600P DBX - the industrial single stitch machine with needle down, automatic thread cutter, 9-in throat and knee lift - I love it. I do everything on it (except quilting when I've used basting spray, she doesn't like it). I also have a 5 year old Kenmore, electronic with fancy stitches and a regular throat size. She is my workhorse that I use when I am going to quilting nights or when I use basting spray and then I quilt with her. The Kenmore (5 years ago) cost about $250 with markdowns and my Janome was about $800, which I got as a package deal with the Grace Pro quilting frame.
I echo the other posts that say to first decide what you want your machine to do and how you will use it, then how much you want to spend. I went with the Janome because I love quilting my quilts and knew I wanted the largest throat size I could afford without fancy stuff.
Good luck