I'm retiring TODAY! ( happy dance!). DH said to go upgrade my current 7700 Janome! I traded it and a second machine in,and took advantage of the sale they had ,and came home with an 8900! It came out at a price I. Could afford. This machine is very smooth and quiet( important since I sew inLiving Room,right behind DH's chair and he fusses if I sew fast and make too much noise). It has great lighting,an 11 inch bed and sews like a quiet dream. It'll be my work horse for years to come,I hope. I test drove a lot of machines before I made my decision.