Bid on a few older style ones, but getting outbid, people are paying silly money for these machines, some have been almost as new prices, and I don't think it's worth the risk, as new can get 1, 2 or even 5 year guarantee for only a little more.
I paid what you’re thinking of spending on a Far Eastern machine, on a 12” Dominion planer/thicknesser. Plug it in and go; no drama.