Why not Stern? They're still around. You can get a newer machine for the price of some of the OVER priced 90's stuff. They have great late model games. Everyone carries all the parts. Then start with the older 90's, 80's stuff. I'm tellin' ya, if you get an old $800 machine, you'll be learning pin repair a lot quicker. Pinball machines are just like cars. The older the machine, the more wear and more stuff busts. The scarcer parts get. No mystery. I never see people searching the forums for more current model parts they can't find. It's always WPC this and Gottlieb system 80 that. Get the NEWEST machine you can afford, to start- or the least used.

(Advice from a lazy person who doesn't like fixing all these things, but luckily married an EE).