Quoted from Fieldsweeper:I have noticed that below about 2k they start to get old, simple and kind of lame.
Some of the best pinball machines out there are still well under or around 2k. Plenty of great EMs under $1000 as well. Just because it doesn't have toys, a commercial theme, or an LCD screen, doesn't make it lame.
Great pinball isn't "old", it's timeless. But if you like all the bells and whistles that come with modern pinball, then maybe start saving up for something in the 5k to 7k range. If you like 1990s machines, id say Fishtales, Judge Dredd, Dirty Harry or Whirlwind in the 3-4 range are solid choices.