I totally understand that asking "what machine should I buy is" opens a can of worms
I was just so sad when my current machine couldn't handle muslin/thick cotton for my first bucket hat project. As a student, I'm just worried about buying a machine that can't handle projects in the future. I remember someone telling me to look at vintage machines, but I'm also worried about upkeep and making sure I know how to fix/take care of them.