I think you need to consider the features. I have many machines (about 30) including 4 newish computerized ones, three Janome's and a Babylock. I love and recommend them all. I would not buy a new machine without needle up/down, a needle threader, or speed control.
I recently got interested in owning a Bernina (We actually have a dealer in our small town), so started looking for one on CL and ebay. It seems to me that Bernina came late to the table with those features. Why didn't they like the needle threader????? Even 10 year old $800 used Bernina's don't have that feature. I was offered a slightly used 10 year old Bernina Activa for $300, but declined because of no threader.
Before all you Bernina lovers jump on me....no, I have never used one, and I don't know what features the new ones have. My Janome's and BL do everything I want them to do...why pay more for less (fewer features)???? IMHO, anyway.