I have came to the conclusion that not only it is cheaper to buy a new product (not just sewing machines) now. It is more cost effective to do so as a new Janome basic mechanical models (which I always buy and use) run from 100 to 200 US dollars.
When I had $200 machines, I never got them cleaned. After 5 or so years when they started choking up, I'd just buy a new one. Now that my machine cost 10x that, a $80 cleaning to keep it in top shape seems totally worth it! (IMO, the more expensive machine is much more superior to the less expensive ones I had before, so I personally think I got my money's worth. That is a personal preference though.)