It is hit and miss and luck. But there are lots of good used lathes available.
These are the best bang for the buck.
I get emails every month or so from local chapter advertising lathes for sale.
Check with your local AAW chapter.
http://www.woodturner.org/?page=Chapters
Even if they don't know of lathes a meeting or two will introduce you to the chapter and some members who have common interests.
For small lathe with big lathe features
I have a jet 1221vs it is one terrific little lathe.
I bought it mostly to drag around for demos etc.
It is great fo 10" bowls. And small hollow forms.
Useable for 11" bowls.
With a struggle you might get an 11.75" bowl.
This doesn't work for everyone but what I did was buy a used 12" lathe without variable speed for about a $100. Took a couple of classes. Sold some work. Bought a 20" woodfact variable speed. Took another class Sold a lot more work. Bought a Oneway 2436. Sold more work.
Bought a Oneway 1018 for turning ornaments paid for it with the first batch of ornaments.. I could turn ornaments on the big lathe but the little one I found much more intimate for turning small things and it's top speed was useful too.
Have fun
Al