All good points. If i was just starting out, I’d find any old machine at the second hand shop and play with it for a week. If I was enjoying myself, I’d jump right into a nice Janome. I have what was called a “school model” which is the most basic with the least stich options. Then after a few months if I hadn’t given up yet, I would probably look for an old industrial (provided I had the room). A Juki DDL or a Pfaff 545 can be found for under $1000 and there is no comparison in using a little home machine compared to an actual sewing unit.

Although, I’m an upholsterer and run a Pfaff 1245 so I’m biased to the heavy stuff.