I guess it still comes down to personal preference. I have certainly had many issues with my Janome 6500 and more issues with the dealer. My Janome 6500 does not like to sew through heavy fabric and veers off at seam junctions. It often bunches up thread at the beginning and hesitates getting started. My vintage Singer 201 does a superb job of sewing through heavy canvas but doesn't have the option of a start stop button (neither does the 6500 or if it does, I've never found it). My Janome 6500 cost me more money than all my other machines put together and it definately has not been the love of my life.