I still love my Brother CSi 6000. I also have a bigger (and much more expensive) Janome 7700, but I love the Brother for workshops, etc. It's just a nice little machine and I see people praise it here and elsewhere over and over. I don't have any experience with the small Janomes. I do see people praise them, too. However, based on my experience with the 7700, I would go with the Brother.

A Singer 401 would be a lovely machine, it doesn't need to be in a cabinet. You can just have it sit on your table. The 401 was made when Singer still made good machines.

I LOVE my CSi 6000... I've used it the entire time I've been in school. The last thing I made with it was an apron for an art class. After I wash the apron, I'll post a photo of it. I was getting the hard case for the machine so I could put it away and that's why the dogs ran into the table. I really just want another one of this because it was so easy to use, but at the same time, I'd like to look at other machines. Perhaps I'll ask for another Brother for my birthday and get a used machine as backup.

WalMart and Amazon both carry the CS6000i for $143.99, which seems to be very close to your budget. WalMart would be free shipping to the store, you would have to have Prime membership with Amazon to get free shipping from them.

I have prime, so ordering from Amazon is no issue. I'm not the biggest fan of WalMarts shipping, but that's me.

I have a Janome and love it. An older Singer also would be fine.

Walmart has at least two models of "Brother brand machines for under $175. Brother is a durable low maintenance machine and easy to learn on.

I also suggest a vintage machine. Hard to break them. They usually are super easy to thread and maintain and fit the price range you are looking at for buying. Craigslist is another option for machines.

I have 5 Janome machines and have been happy with each one of them. I would recommend them with a clear conscience.

Find an older singer or kenmore and it will never wear out. The older machines were all metal and there is not a lot you can do to destroy them. The stitching is beautiful and you wont be sorry. They are heavier but worth it especially if you don't haul them around. Where are you located? I do have a couple of older ones but if you are across the country, shipping would be expensive.