Don't make any hasty decisions. I searched machines probably 6 months before I bought mine. Go to the different shops & test drive them. Go to any shops around & test drive. Then go back & test drive AGAIN & AGAIN until you are sure. Get the feel of the machine. See what you like & don't like. Take a small notebook with you & jot down the likes & dislikes. But what I really recommend is buying it from a sewing machine shop that will stand behind it. I bought my first Bernina 11 yrs ago & it was a lemon. A total lemon. The shop kept saying it was something I had done every time something would go wrong. All I did was turn it on & sew! I sure gave that shop some negative advertisement! I just purchased my newest Bernina 440QE last April (from a different shop) & I am going Sat. to see about trading up. There's nothing wrong with my new machine thank goodness but there are more features on one a couple steps up that I like so I'm going to see what the shop will give me for it. My new machine has been wonderful thank goodness but I want more! LOL I know greedy. So make sure you buy it from a reputible sewing machine shop & they stand behind their machines. Also if you do your own quilting of your quilts, check out the throat space. Make sure there's plenty of room to get that quilt thru there! A needle up & needle down option is WONDERFUL.