A friend has a Magnolia, and I'd never touched one before. She said it was having trouble, so I took it home with me and I cleaned and oiled it. I was surprised at how "cheap" it was. I like Janomes. I have a Janome. But I wouldn't waste my time with a Magnolia. It was very lightweight and bounced when I sewed with it. I think I'd save my money and get a new $80 Brother or Singer instead.
I got my Janome at a pawn shop. I recommend if you're looking for a sewing machine to start at a pawn shop. I have gotten my last two clones at pawn shops for $15 each. Someone beat me to it, but I saw a Singer One going into layaway a few months ago! There are a lot of the "beginner" machines for $20-30 too.