I agree. In years past, when sewing machines were all metal, you could buy a cheap machine and it just had fewer features. Now a cheap machine is so cheaply made that it does not hold up and in some cases I have read about doesn't sew correctly out of the box.
I have recently bought 3 older Pfaff machines (10-16 years) on ebay and they sew perfectly. If you check feedback of the sellers it is possible to get some good deals on older machines. Some even offer a year warranty. Of course shipping is on the buyer, but it you live close enough you may be able to take advantage of that offer.
"I have found it better to buy the top of the line machine from a prior generation(used but refurbished) than a bottom of the line new machine.[/QUOTE]