A used Precor 546 is a good machine. About 4K new, anything else or anything less is a total waste of money. World-class runners like Alberto Salazaar helped develop the Precor and it is the ONLY elliptical that has a stride that biomechanically approximates a runners stride.
If I were wealthy and had the room, I'd have the 546, a stepmill, and a Concept II rower. Since I'm a broke-azz, I'll make do with the rower, a Pendlay barbell and some bumper plates. The last two will do more to toughen your azz up than anything else, and that's a fact.
