well, if you do go the 'new' route, I have a lot of good things to say about my Hamilton Beach slow cooker. It comes with 3 different sized removable ceramic bowls. I've used my slow cooker to make appetizer dips in the small bowl, the medium bowl to make pasta sauce, chili, roasts, and the large bowl to make chicken broth.
It all depends on how you see yourself using it.
I've never had a chip or a crack in my ceramic bowls. I suggest going for something with a removable ceramic bowl, it makes cleaning so much easier.
A slow cooker, however you cut it, is a great investment. I use mine pretty frequently, at least a few times each month.
edit: also useful for serving cheese fondue. YUM!