Best Advice I can give you is.....Decide how much $$ you want to spend, and then write down all the "must haves" that you really want on a new machine. Such as Thread cutter, larger throat area, knee lift, etc. Then Go and actually try out the machines. I have a Janome 6500 and love it! Price was right, had the extras I wanted without extra bells and whistles I really wouldn't us to often. Good Luck! I am sure you will find the right one for you!