In 2003, I was in the market for a really good sewing machine. DH was with me and I had a Bernina in mind, although I had not seriously shopped for one yet. We stopped first at the Baby Lock dealership. I was told that it was every bit as good as the Bernina. Perhaps it is, I don't and may never know. BUT, the issue is that it will do everything except make my morning coffee. It is the Ellageo esg3. Around $5,ooo at the time. It has the knee lift and lots of great features. It has the floppy disc drive for embroidery. I have never, and may never use the embroidery feature. It soon became obsolete, because soon after, they came out with a flash drive instead of the floppy disc. I only do quilting and making dolls and clothes for the great-grands.
Bottom line is, don't buy more machine than you intend to use.
~Skeetersmom