A lot of machines can stitch a reasonable straight stitch and free-motion quilt... I did it on a $130 Brother (granted it didn't last long). If that's all you need from a new machine though (especially where you are!) I'd look for a Singer model 15... I absolutely love my old singer for piecing and quilting. It makes a really nice straight stitch, has a nice size harp space, and the feed dogs drop. The only reason I bought my new machine is because I wanted the fancy stitches, and I could. when I did I bought a Pfaff - it's what my grandma sewed on, and what my mom sews on... so now me too
and they are the only sewing machine company with a local dealer and service tech.