I have a Brother NS30 which is a basic model although it was not cheap where I bought it. Overall I like it but the throat plate is plastic and I wish it was metal. I also cannot FMQ with it (tension- probably no connection with the plastic top but the bobbin casing seems flimsy to me too).
To be fair, most people do not seem to have that problem. For piecing it is great and tension has never been an issue where there is no batting involved.
Our local dealer (since we moved) is not a person I can do business with so, overall, if I had my time over I would probably go for a Janome instead, but your situation is different from mine so don't let me sour your view!