I bought a Babylock Espire (now Symphonie) with a large throat opening, needle up/down and sideways needle position adjustments, good light, motor speed adjustments and nice fancy stitches. Those are my essentials. I used to think that a built-in walking foot was a must have but this machine has an external walking foot that is relatively easy to attach and works just as well.
One of these days, I will be able to set up my frame and use it with the Pfaff Grandquilter. It is a very fast straight-stitch machine.