I bought a Singer Confidence Quilter and I love it!! I got it online for $240--free ship. It has all the features you mentioned and comes with a walking foot and the free motion quilt foot as well as a few other goodies.
My old machine was a Brother I got at Walmart about 6 years ago...no needle down feature, but it was the cheapest one they had. I gave it to my daughter when I got my Singer and it is serving her well.