I have just purchased a light weight machine to take to class and I'm very impressed. Only thing will not do is adjust a needle position . Husqvarna viking HjCLASS 100q. Have you looked at the pfaff machines some here have a larger throat and over in UK prices an be very reasonable. Used one at a class and was very impressed.
Unless you are sending quilt out to Laq you need as much room there as possible.
spend as much as possible and a bit more this machine will be with you a long time. Go to dealers and try the machines before buying we all have our own likes and dislikes for different reasons .