Definitely take a test drive! a long test drive if possible. I love my Janome 6500 and my sister bought the Horizon thinking she would love it. She does now but it took her awhile after going back and forth for classes learning how to use it. We did a class at a big show in Atlanta and they had Pfaff machines and she loved those better! so try it out for sure! I would love the 11" over my 9" throat any day.