LOL sounds like SHE just wanted a BIG sale !! You absolutely do NOT need to spend $4K on a new machine ... you can get a lot of GREAT machines for $1,000 or even less ! There are models in EVERY makers line for less than $1,000 with plenty of features !
I personally recommend the Janome 6600, I got mine 2 yrs ago for $1100 and it is a workhorse. It has more than enough stitches and features, dual feed and it machine quilts very well. It handles everything from piecing to sewing on denim and canvas to freemotion.