Here's some free advice, for what it is worth, from a guy who had a Nordic Track sitting unused for several years in a spare room...
Join a heath club or gym. Seriously... a good machine will set you back a few grand. My health club membership at a local franchise is only ten bucks per month. They have FREE trainers who will show you how to use each machine, and help you achieve your goals. Go each day and use the elliptical, bikes and treadmills. After several months you'll will have achieved several major goals:
1: if you went to the gym regularly, you LOST weight, and you are healthier.
2: you have a good idea what machines work the best for YOU, and which ones you are willing to commit to working out on.
3: you may have saved a ton of money by not buying a "Mistake," and you may find that the health club route is the better alternative in the long run.