Trad-ins
I would look into trade-ins at local stores.....and or on ebay. I personally am very gun-shy of Craigslist because of everything I have heard....How about local Goodwill, Salvation Army and even Humanity stores.....and then find a GOOD local repair person, (worth his weight in solid gold)......I would go with an older Singer or Kenmore (Sears repair) old old companies worth their weight........or an old Palff or how about a solid Bernina......