Mad Quilter,
Yes, there is a different feel to the newer models....I also have a 1471 that I purchased in 1987 and Creative Vision 5.0. The 5.0 and QE 4.0 have very similar feel, but both are different than my older one. Just takes some getting used to.
You are right...the best way to see if you will like it is to test drive it. The reason I started with Pfaffs to begin with was that the local dealer insisted that I spend at least an hour playing with it before deciding. I had checked out just about all other brands at that time - one a guy demonstrated, and another a gal demonstrated; both refusing to let me try. Needless to say,they were checked off my list immediately.