If you have a price range, I wouldn't get hung up on which game to buy. What I did was watch Craig's List or any other pins for sale locally and then I watched Youtube videos of gameplay and read reviews here on pinside of a game I found. When I decided that I found a game that I thought I would like, I bought it. The first game you buy doesn't have to be a keeper, it just has to satisfy the hunger for a little while till you've played pinball enough and have figured out which game you want to pursue. If you're interested in tinkering with games, get one that has a few small problems. If you just want to play, make sure the game is working but don't be a stickler for condition. I would definitely look for one under $1000 for your first machine. It's a lot easier to not make a mistake in that price range.

Everybody was wondering what was available in his area, so I did a quick search on CL. There seems to be many choices and this was just the first 100 entries under $1200. There were a bunch of EMs available too.

High Speed $1200 newjersey.craigslist.org link

Black Sheep Squadron $425 allentown.craigslist.org link

Tee'd Off $1200 allentown.craigslist.org link

Jungle Lord $800 newjersey.craigslist.org link

Space Invaders $1200 philadelphia.craigslist.org link

Bally Atlantis $1200 baltimore.craigslist.org link

SS Count Down $500 washingtondc.craigslist.org link

Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man $600 washingtondc.craigslist.org link

Bobby Orr Slapshot $650 southjersey.craigslist.org link

James Bond 007 $500 washingtondc.craigslist.org link

Black Belt $1200 harrisburg.craigslist.org link

Silverball Mania $500 harrisburg.craigslist.org link

Airborne Avenger $800 southjersey.craigslist.org link

Flash Gordon $500 washingtondc.craigslist.org link

Gottlieb Dragon $800 allentown.craigslist.org link

Counterforce $900 newjersey.craigslist.org link

Escape from Lost World $800 winchester.craigslist.org link

Shaq Attack $900 annapolis.craigslist.org link

Nugent $900 annapolis.craigslist.org link

Gold Ball $575 philadelphia.craigslist.org link

It's a little eye-opening when you realize there are so many machines available.

You're from the area. Do you call when any machine becomes available? It seems here in the Chicago area a lot of the early SS games will sit for a long time before someone buys them. So even if the ad is a little old, the item is still available. I also didn't know if he was looking for a somewhat working machine. Some people like to tinker. Good find on the Flash Gordon.