Lisa --
Buy an Oreck!!
I, like you, didn't want to spend too much on a vacuum - so when my old one broke I went to Walmart/Home Depot all those stores and checked out all the prices. I bought a middle of the road Eureka - after 3 months it broke. Back to the store for another vaccum, spent another $150 - the belt broke twice and if finally burned out. I was so mad that I spent so much on TWO and was left with nothing in a years time.
So, I went on-line and found the closest Oreck store. They were awesome and didn't try to get me to purchase something over my price limit. I bought the cheapest one they had -- and I LOVE IT!!!
If it breaks - I bring it back to the store and they will fix it. While at the store, numerous customers came in and went while I was purchasing it, they all RAVED on their Orecks.
Hope this helps!
Michelle
P.S. When I bought mine it came with two free gifts. A portable canister vacuum for your car and a cordless iron. Can't beat that!!