I have an older viking that works well, but silly me recently purchased a babylock ellure plus(a very weak moment) and in all sincerity, I like the viking better...the viking is heavier, more room at the throat area, not only for fabric but for my fingers to get to the feet for changes, etc. Altho it does not have the "latest" tricks, like auto threading(which is quite a tricky thing on babylock)I still like it better and if I could do it again, I would have looked at a newer viking......live and learn....have you tried ebay?????I am sure everyone loves whatever brand they have so like so many things in life sometimes it is a toss of the dice......