Best Espresso machine under $150

Let me start by saying that I am using the term 'best' loosely.



My wife and I have been using a Cuisinart coffee maker for the past few years. She really like the ease of it and I could take it or leave it. Well, it no longer works(fuse or something), and I would like to get my wife(and I) a Espresso machine for Christmas. I know its a few months early but if I start looking now I may find a great deal.



We both enjoy Latte's, Cappuccino's, Espresso's etc.......and we arent all that fancy when it comes to coffee but we do love our coffee :)



I figured I would get an espresso machine because my wife goes crazy when we are at her parents and her father in law makes us espresso and lattes using his Saeco espresso machine. I think he has the Incanto Deluxe or something very similar....and well they are waaay out of our price range.



I need some suggestions on what would be a great first espresso machine. We would use it a couple times in the morning and a couple times after work I am sure. So it will get used quite a bit. A steam/froth thingy would be great if it was part of it, but not a deal breaker.



Thanks guys, I searched the thread its its amazing the set-ups you guys have.



Cheers



Froogle_Jimmy

Best Espresso machine under $150