Depends on what you're looking for. If you plan on machine quilting than do as hopetoquilt says - look for a machine with a large harp/throat. I machine piece but hand quilt. The only things I machine quilt are charity quilts that require machine quilting. Ergo, throat space doesn't really matter to me. I have a Viking Platinum and love it. I also have a FW on which I've also done piecing and I have another vintage singer that I'm in the process of getting into my g'grandmothers old base. Haven't done much with it yet. My Viking has needle/up down - which I love; speed control; a host of embroidery stitches that I rarely use as well as a host of other wonderful features. I did alot of research online as to which machines had the features I wanted; costs; service availability and then tried them once I narrowed down my list of wants/needs. You'd be surprised what you can get your most basic of machines to accomplish. Give it a whirl.