I would suggest a used Bernina...I have a 1008 (bought it new) which is 13 years old and just had it's first visit to the dealer hospital. And believe me, it's been put through it! I have made over 500 quilts on it, and it hasn't stuttered until this little mishap it just had...and then it only cost me $75 to get it fixed and serviced. I think I paid $12-1300 for it back then...don't have a clue how much they are now but I DO know that there are good used ones out there. So maybe that could be a consideration for you as well. Good luck!