I have 2 Janomes and love them. Something to remember, the Brother is made by Janome and you can frequently find a Brother that is basically the same as a Janome but it costs less.
My first machine was a used Singer that my folks got me for high school graduation in the '60's. A great machine -- it was a workhorse. Don't discount a good used machine. If you get a new machine, ask for lessons -- they help you get comfortable with your machine.
Bottom line, however, you need a good dealer/repair person-- they are worth their weight in gold.