Once you get into quilting, the features you thought you'd never use or need on a machine suddenly become clear why they are available on machines. I have to have needle down, auto cutter, knee lift (didn't think I'd ever use that, now it's a have to have) needle threader, and led lighting. My older machines are wonderful and have a place in my quilting but they don't have features that make quilting more enjoyable and easier to get better results.