I have the same Juki machine as Leah - mine was around $500 on sale, and it was a "show model". So I think you've got that price a bit high.
I loved reading about the ten-year-old sewing with her knee. That's about the age I started to sew, and I also sewed on the floor with my knee on the pedal. Brought back some great memories! Now I can't even get up off the floor... LOL.