Check with your local LQS. They sometimes have floor models or trade-ins that would be far above your budget in quality but not in price. Also, most LQS's also work on machines. That's a great benefit to have. H
However, that said, I bought a $200 Brother on Craigslist for almost nothing and it's still a great machine. I'd still use the old workhorse for the heavy quilting though. I just started quilting a quilt that I pieced on the Brother but I'm quilting it on a 1951 Singer.