Originally Posted by Quilter Lois
OMG! If he will give you a 6 month warranty or such, $600 is a great price, and lower is greater!! You will love the machine. It is a workhorse!! Grab it!!!
The big difference with the 6500 vs the 6600 is the built in walking foot and the larger harp (opening) on the 6600. For that kind of price, you are well off to buy the 6500 and just use the separate walking foot.
All Janome's are great. I am a great fan - the value is there!!
I believe the 6500 and 6600 have the same harp/throat size
I just bought the 6600 and was first considering the 6500. The key differences that I remember
* accufeed on 6600 (it's aready to go walking foot, instead of changing feet everytime for the walking foot and back again)
* better lighting
* more stitches
Also, check to see what feet/accessories are included with both. You might want to negotiate for more to be thrown into the deal. And as suggested already, get a store warranty!
You might want to do what I did ... I started looking at the 6500 and asked, what the next step up was, and what the differences were. I felt the extra $ were worth it to me.