a lot of manufacturers now offer some kind of oversize-throat machines, suitable for quilting. you can spend your life after retirement checking them all out. i know because i tried to do it.
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after you try a few and narrow it down to the features you like, go to a quilt show. almost all the manufactures have setups there. try them out against one another. it's the only way to really see what the differences are. you'll also get to see what it is you're paying for. talk it up with all the venders and tell them what you like about other machines, including price. ask them what they'll throw in without extra charge. the venders can do that for you. they have no"rent" to pay. take your time and go around at least twice, trying out the machine each time. let the vender know who you are and realize that you are a serious possible customer. at the shows, you can often do better than at stores, and with a warranty you're still eligible for service.
remember, they are there to sell. you are there to buy. you have the money and they want to have it.