I think $1000 is too much. Bernina will support a machine with parts for 15 years after the one is sold. The yahoo group Bernina thirty somethings (spelling?) might be able to give you better guidance. Somebody on patternreview.com just scored a used 440 for $800 !!! It just lacks feet and the BSR. The best deals are local, it seems.

That could be, I found my machine on our small, local, imitation Craigslist. The lady's mom had moved into an assisted living apt. so the lady was clearing out mom's house before selling it.

I think Berninas are a rare creature here in Wisconsin. I wish that weren't so...Oh, what a wonderful world that would be....