Left homing needles can be a problem when sewing a 1/4" seam if only one of the feed dogs grabs the fabric.
A machine that has stretch stitches is nice if you will be sewing knit fabrics. A narrow zigzag stitch works in a pinch if you only sew knits occasionally. Not sure if this important to you or not but something to consider.
The Kenmore 1220 was the machine I used when I first started sewing. It's a very basic bottom of the line machine from the 70's. I swear the thing hated me but in retrospect it may have been my inexperience.
I now own is a Kenmore 50. She's a basic all metal gears straight stitch and zigzag machine and has a left homing needle. She is a work horse but I usually use my straight stitch only machines when I'm piecing quilts.