I've just been making the same choice, and have gone with the 7700 because of the offer on it at the moment. When the prices go up, which I understand they're due to, I'll never be able to afford it again. I've been reading about the 6600, 7700, Pfaff Expressions 4 and Husqvarna 875 for about a year now: my impression is that for quilting, on the whole the 7700 has the most contented owners. I went to test-drive it earlier this week and was convinced that it was worth spending a bit extra to get this machine while I have the chance. I had similar questions to yours - will I ever use a fraction of the facilities on it? - but I think I agree with the person above who said that you don't know what you might want to try in the future! Eight years ago I would have laughed if you'd told me I'd ever make a quilt (or ever want a sewing machine!).