I bought a used Janome 6500P for a larger area. I like the scissors button when I am in the center so I don't have to lift up the whole quilt to snip. There is a quilt mode that is nice. The space made it a lot easier to fmq.
It made a lot of sense for me because it fits so nice in my older Parson cabinet. I have a flat surface except behind the machine. The extension table is nice, but seems to be a little too high for me (I am short).
I do not like it very much to mend jeans however. I miss the free arm at that time for fixing knees. It doesn't seem to have the power for the thick part of the jeans.
You do have alphabets to use on this machine. I had an 1980's Janome with that option and so I was familiar with the operation. Amazon has one for $1200 and free super saver shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-Memory-...6853825&sr=1-1
The 6600p would be a better choice with the accufeed and start/stop button. Allbrands has one for sale
http://www.allbrands.com/products/ab...ogle&ovtac=CMP
Good luck on your search,