I have to say that Janome and Bernina owners are usually happy with their purchases. I got my 6600 used, I already had a Bernina Activa which is sort of the low end for Bernina. I knew I could never afford a high end Bernina ($10,000)so at first I felt like I was sort of settling for a Janome, but at $800 I thought I could always get my money back if I hated it. Well I love this machine, it is a workhorse. I not only quilt but also sew clothes. The features I wanted most were the even feed and the thread cutter. I find I don't use the thread cutter as much as I thought, but there are plenty of other features that I have come to rely on. I don't use any of the decorative stitches other than when I played with them when I first got the machine and to label my sons clothes.
Check out the Yahhoo 6500/6600 group, it was a great resource for me when I first got my machine.