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What is the best combonation espresso machine/coffee maker for someone on a budjet?

This is going to be my next big purchase! If I get a good tax refund, I'm sure I'll use it towards this! I want to get one so I can not only make drip coffee but also make my own lattes and cappucinos. Even if I get a nice one it'll be cheaper in the long run than going to Starbucks a few times a week. I would like it to cost less than $200. A tiny bit higher would be ok if it's a fantabulous one. I would also like it to be easy to use and reliable. All I need it to do is make espresso, steam milk, and make drip coffee. I like the looks of the Mr Coffee ECM21 after checking it out at Walmart. But then I looked on Amazon.com and it only had like three stars, just an ok rating. People either loved it or hated it. I don't want to be one of the ones who hates it, that's $75 down the drain. I would rather spend twice that much on something I love than lose that money on something I hate. Anyway, thanks in advance. Ok, so I shouldn't look for a true espresso to be made by this machine. That's ok, cause I don't drink straight espresso, I combine it with steamed milk for a latte or use it in recipes. SIDE NOTE: I make an awesome flourless mocha truffle torte; and with espressoish stuff I won't have to use instant coffee granules or drip coffee, neither of which quite work as well as espresso would. All I really want is something that'll foam the milk, make something stronger than drip coffee for the uses I specified, and save counter space by having a drip coffeemaker built in. Reccommendations based on that? Ok, thanks for the advice on frothing without a frother! Sounds just like whipping cream, well worth the effort but exhausting! Except with heat. Would I need milk with fat in it for this to work? Cause my family only buys skim milk and lowfat soy milk. The barista at my favorite cafe told me that soy milk froths even better than whole milk, true?

Answer
There's no such thing as a coffee & espresso maker. Anything advertised as such is just a coffee maker that might have a worthless frothing nozzle & makes something not worthy of the name espresso. A good espresso machine will start around $700+. You can buy a Moka pot for $30-120 and make the closest thing to espresso. It's actually how most Italians make their daily espresso. Using either of these methods can be used to make an Americano (espresso diluted with hot water) as a coffee. For drip coffee, I use a Chemex manual drip. You can get one for well under $100 (depending on size). You could always buy a french press. Either way all you need is a way to boil water. The biggest problem for most auto drip coffee makers is that they don't get the water hot enough (should be 200F) so they don't extract properly. Another thing; Coffee (especially espresso) should be made from fresh ground beans. Beans are stale less than an hour after grinding, so consider buying a good burr grinder to optimize the flavor you get. I looked at the Mr Coffee ECM21. That's no espresso maker. It will make a stronger, maybe slightly bitter coffee, but no espresso can be made in a machine in amounts larger than 3 oz. It's one of those situations where people don't know how bad what they're drinking is because they've never had the good stuff. Update: I have some info that might save you even more counter space. The foaming part of the coffee maker is too useless as it can't store enough heat to foam properly. The milk ends up too watery. An easy (and free) way of doing it is in a pan. I do this for larger groups since my espresso machine can't foam between cups. Put milk (2% or soy) into a sauce pan or saucier (better). Put in freezer for about 5-10 minutes (needs to be cold, even for foaming wand). Place on stove on medium heat. Whisk briskly and bubbles will form. Bubbles will shrink as milk heats up. I check with my finger until it feels almost scalding & then take off heat. You can pour or ladle the milk & spoon off the foam. Takes a little wrist action, but no extra money (unless you want to buy a saucier - good for cooking, too).