I'm not an expert, but check out the Chicago Electric welders from Harbor Freight (www.harborfreight.com). Not a Lincoln or Hobart, but a lot of bang for the buck. I've had the 170 amp 220v model for ten years or so and it is still working fine. Be sure to buy your tanks (so you can weld aluminum and stainless as well as mild steel) locally so you can get exchanged (refilled) cylinders easily. You can wear one of the cheap ones out while you save money for a brand name.
