Thanks for all your comments! Your understand your collective advice to invest a little more money in this purchase for something that will (hopefully) last me longer. I plan on going back to both dealers and trying out some of the machines under $900-$1000.
One machine that I sewed on, but crossed off at the time as something I couldn't afford was the Necchi EX30. I can't find much info on it online. Does anyone know anything about that machine or brand?