About the moving around problem - I keep a piece of shelf liner (that rubbery stuff they sell in Walmart) under my machine and it doesn't creep around anymore.
If you want a high end machine for less than $1500, then I suggest you visit your local sewing machine stores and see if they have any gently used machines with warranties that you can buy. You will get the bells and whistles you want at a fraction of the price of a new machine.