I have owned a Memory Craft 7000 for 20+ years and recently have bought 2 more on eBay. They are great machines. I have given one to daughter #1 and will keep the 2nd for back-up since I have usually kept only one machine. These older machines always get rave reviews. I think several others on this Board have the same machine. I would NEVER buy a new machine when these do so well.
Enjoy your computerized machine. They are great. Never any tension worries and you get consistent stitching all the time.
You can call the Janome company to ask about when the machine was made -and how much the original cost was....at 1-800-631-0183. The MC numbers do not run in sequence so it is difficult to know when they were made. My MC7000 was made 1989-90 and the MC6000 was made 1983-99 but the MC4000 was made in 1993.
I would not sew on anything else. I use mine for all my piecework and they have all performed perfectly. And my daughter says it is the best she has ever sewn on. Nothing like happy customers.
What a great gift you have there.
June in Cincinnati