My only machine is a Bernina Auroro 440 QE and I LOVE IT! I have had only wonderful results with it. My LQS is great, they have new user classes for free and you can take them over and over. I get it tuned up each year (have had it for almost 5 years). My LQS runs frequent promotions and sales. Don't remember what I paid - it was expensive - but well worth the investment. As the slogan goes, "Nothing Sews Like a Bernina." And I agree. You may want to look at "gently used" Berninas at your dealer.