I have the Brother PQ1500S, which you can buy on Amazon for $655. I *looooove* it! (But have no experience on other machines, so I can't compare.) It's a straight stitch machine only, no zigzag stitches. I just finished free-motion quilting a quilt for my stepson with lots of swirls, etc, so "straight stitch only" does not mean no curves, for those who don't know.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...wsusanmalle-20