I have typed this out a few times on this board - I think I need to save this in a text file lol.
I started off with a Janome 350e which I paid a little under a grand for. I loved it but wanted a bigger hoop. It always stitched out beautifully.
I sold it on Craigslist for pretty much what I paid for it and bought the Janome MB4 which I hated. It was loud, a pain to thread and I could never figure out how to center things where I wanted them to be. I sold that on Craigslist for about $200 less than what I paid for it.
I then bought a Brother 4500d which I absolutely love love love. It is a great machine. It's A LOT more expensive because of that really big hoop - and wanna hear the funny thing? I have yet to use the really big hoop = don't tell hubby!