I too have a Janome (6500), my first one just had some "quirks" in it & I had to run to the dealer several times with it - 60 miles one way. After about the 3rd time he said "Peggi, let's just get you a new machine", and he did. I stopped in to say hi the other day & he was demonstrating the 6700 - so I watched, wanted the feature where you don't have to use the foot peddal & also helped him sell the machine. When the woman left w/ her new machine he told me he would give me exactly what I paid for my machine (over 5 yrs ago) towards the newer one so guess what, after Christmas I'm getting the new one. I think Janome is a good name, they'll stand behind your machine.