Think carefully about what you really need before you buy. I am the very unhappy owner of a Janome 6500. Even though this machine had wonderful reviews and many happy owners, mine should have been painted bright yellow. It just wouldn't do what I needed and my dealer was no help. I have recently bought a Juki TL98Q and this machine sews rings around my Janome. It has a beautiful even stitch, is fast and powerful, a dream for free motion and a foot and hand thread cutter button. It powers through my quilt tops and I have quilted three large quilts and one crib quilt this week, more than I would stitch in a month with my Janome. If you are quilting numerous quilts, this may be a better (and cheaper) machine for you.