15 years ago I purchased a new Janome for $700 when the local dealer went out of business. Big mistake...nothing but problems with that machine and the company just kept telling me to keep taking it back to the nearest dealer (60 miles one way) for repairs. It was a year old when I sold it at a garage sale, very cheap. I was then given a 10yr old Viking 500 and loved it until the mother board went. Now I have a new Viking Sapphire 855 and I love it, especially the 10" throat. The best machine I have ever owned was a Riccar. I also have a fantastic 40+ year old Elna that I love.