you should first start visiting shows/dealers & test=driving all the different machines to decide which machines you like-have the features you want- are comfortable for you----then after having a list of what you like/don't like you could start looking at ads for used machines- long-arm machines new start around $5000-$7000...there are mid-arms that are less---
if you find a used machine for $1000 or less, buy it then hate it- you did not get a deal- so you should research & test drive as many as you possibly can before making a decision- it's like buying a car some of us like one- others like something totally different- it's an investment not to be made based on price alone