Good advice given here. Here's my .02 (which is only worth about half of that!)
I purchased a used one, just for reference...
* Is there a dealer for That brand close by?
* Do they offer classes on machines not purchased in their shop?
* Will they service machines not purchased in their shop?
Ask my why this is important (oy!).
These are Great machines and do some amazing things, but they are also temperamental beasties and have the ability to test the patience of a saint.
My personal position, I wish I would have purchased a new, but one with less bells/whistles, so I could have had the shop support.
Can it work out? Of course, it just depends on the answers to my first three questions.
Good luck!