I started out with a Janome 350E and loved it but wanted to upgrade. Now I have a Janome 11000 MC and it's wonderful. Both easy to use. My friend has had 3 Brothers and she has had each of them in the shop numberous times. Never had my 350E in the shop other than annual cleaning and when I bumped my hoop with my chair (not something you want to do LOL) and it was used like a commericial machine. My 11000 MC is like a cadillac to me and is well worth it's money. Every time my friend has got to take her Brother to the shop for repair I think how grateful I am because my machines have pretty much been worry free.