My advice:
Whatever machine you can afford, buy one that has a shop/repairman/support near you -- the closest.
TEST the machines. I love the HQ Avante for the "lightness" of the touch. I tested others this last weekend at a quilt show and felt the big-time-expensive ones weren't to my liking.
Consider SPACE. Yes, the table may be 12 feet long........but you need at least 2 feet at each end and enough space to comfortably get behind the machine.
Good luck!