suggestions for a first CNC milling machine

it was suggested to me that this might be one spot to ask for suggestions on a perspective first time cnc milling machine. I was half way sold on the larger zen toolworks DIY machine till I started looking seriously at what it was capable of and not capable of. I need something that will handle metal's and plastics primarily, not mdf or other woods. The cnc ready Sherline 2000 looks very promising, but given the price involved, I'd really like to know if anyone else has had experience with this or similar machine and whether it's a good choice or not. NOTE: I have zero machinist training so I'll be starting from scratch.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be very welcome.
-john