Are you willing to buy a used machine? I purchased a used Janome 6500 for $500 and it was fantastic. I then upgraded to a Janome 6600 and went for a used machine again for $300 more. If you have a number of dealers around you, you may want to stop in and see what they've got in a used machine with a warranty. It can be a great way to get a quality machine that you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
Hope this helps!