Don't buy a Brother, unless it's a higher end machine. I really got burned on what was supposed to be a "good" Brother. It lasted a whole 10 months. The more expensive models are good. If at all possible, wait until the after-Christmas sales. There is a brand new Janome coming out the beginning of the year, which means it's going to push the prices of the other models still lower. Right now, they are artificially high as they try to clear stock prior to the introduction of the newest model. I'm waiting, as I want a Janome. They're good machines, last a long time, and it doesn't hurt to get an older model as long as it's been well cared for, and you'll save a bundle --- as long as you don't care about having "all the bells and whistles". Berninas are a great machine, but more expensive. Shop around. It's going to be a buyer's market come the early part of next year, trust me. They still have Janome 6500's the are trying to get rid of, and they won't let the dealer's sell them because they are too close to the newer 6600 -- few differences. They had been selling on eBay for $1,100, but not long ago, they jacked up the price to pre-Christmas prices of $1,499. Ridiculous! You can get a brand new Janome 6600, with a negotiated discount, for less that $2,000! So why pay almost $1,500 for a discontinued machine with fewer options? Having said that, it is said the 6500 model is destined to become a Classic, so if the prices drop back down where they should be, they should be a great buy. People who were just selling their own new machines outright were getting between $800 and $900 for them, which is what I think the market will bear right now, and perhaps less after the New Year.
So that's my two cents worth. Hope you find what you want! Merry Christmas!