With your budget I would go with Johnny Mnemonic. Awesome game, that is better than many A list games.

DE Star Wars? I hear the new custom code is awesome.

Maybe a Funhouse?

Earthshaker is one of my favorites to play in my collection . You should be able to find one for $2500 that's pretty nice. But you already know about that one.
Space Station is a very cool looking pin with LED's , and a great value, but ball moves fast due to no in lanes . Best light show of all my pins , no close second . Not a stop and go pin at all in my opinion so that might not fit your needs .
Road show is a fun game and is usually price below the others in that era, it's got lots of ramps if you like ramps. No fear I know nothing about , except it's usually around $2500 for a DMD pin .
If you want to come over and play the games in my collection, and decide on what you might want in your next pin, we can work that out. I'm only a half hour from you . Just shoot me a pm .
JP

If you want "hold the ball and take shots game" than Pat Lawlor is most likely the way to go. Heck, you even said you love ES so that makes sense. With your budget, you might be able to squeeze in a "player" version of Road Show. I just sold mine. It's a great machine for the dough. It's got a dmd and a shaker that is standard.
Others - Johnny mnemonic.
Tales From The Crypt
Frankenstein
Getaway
Baywatch
Goldeneye
Batman Forever

All the games you mention are great
Don't over think it, just keep an eye out for one in good condition that comes up in your area

For the Money,Try to find a good condition,RBION! It's what your looking for!I constantly play mine! Fun,lots of shots to overcome! Easy to follow! IMHO!!!:)AND,you won't beat this one any time soon!!Many modes and side trips to keep you wanting to do better!

Love the suggestions that are well under market value.

RBION, 2500 good luck finding one. Most of them are asking well over 3k.
DE Star Wars? 3k all day.
FH, doable in the low 2k, but at that point its pretty blown out. Heck the last one on here was a restore candidate at best.
Roadshow? 2500 ehh if you are lucky.

Come on guys if you are going to make suggestions make realistic ones.

Right now you have to fast flowing games. T2 is pretty shallow and DM has a bit more depth but not tons. JM would be a good choice and sells for below 2500. I would also look into lawlor titles. Stop and go play would be a nice change up. If you can try some of the more modern sterns that have a bit more depth to the rules. Maybe something early 2k's that is not super popular to keep the price low.

There is a Star Wars in NY right now for $2375 on Pinside. (sorry that was archived from 71 days ago).

I second Whirlwind "feel the power of the wind"
Dung is right about a Lawlor title way different then
what you have WW is deep compared to T2

Bsd is one best pins for the money still... nice one just listed for 2200 ...go get it bc usually they are 2800- 3300

Agreed! BSD rocks! Tales From the Crypt is another good one.

I've never played Judge Dredd, but they come up all the time in the low $2000s.

Still lots of great pins out there for <$2500. Much slimmer options <$2000.

JM is a good exciting pin. Power down is unique for a wizard mode. You can't go wrong for what they go for. I was going to suggest fish tales or shadow which both lasted longer in my collection than JM but I would get any of the three again and that JM is local and available right now.