For a little more money, you could get a Bailey -- it's a mid-arm machine, with a throat space of 13" or 15". I have a 15", and it gives me a LOT more pattern/quilting space. You can sometimes find a used one for a really good price -- I got mine for only $1300 and that included the stitch regulator (normally over $600 on its own).
Just something else to keep in mind -- I started with a 9" Juki, and I was very unhappy with the small stitching space. But there are a lot of people that are able to make it work.