I bought a used Necci machine from a quilting shop in Carlton, Ma and it works great. I paid $100. and it does everything I need. The shop is very honest and had the machine reconditioned. I'm sure they'd fix it if there were problems. You might look around for a used machine. The machine that I purchased was a trade in for a customer who was purchasing a Bernina.
I also have a Bernina and love it. You might be wise to take the machine to a Bernina dealer and have it tuned up. But check around for prices, some dealers offer better deals on the checkups.
I go to a dealer who is Menonite in Withey, Wis. and he does a great job in servicing machines.