I have a Singer Confidence Quilter that I carry back and forth to my Quilt classes and the Guild. At home I have a Viking Topaz 20 Embroidery machine.
When I was in the market for a new sewing machine, I went and sampled: Viking, Singer, Janome, and Bernina. I love Mom's Bernina, but didn't like the feel of the new ones. The Janome is a great machine value for the money, the Viking had a nice feel and I liked the features.
I have had a Baby Lock, a Sears Kenmore and a Viking in the past. Go around to different dealers and try out the machine (don't just let them demo it). The sales people want you to buy their machine, but you have to enjoy sewing on what you purchase.