You can't go wrong with a Janome. The 6600 is as good as it gets. I paid $1549 for mine 5 years ago, don't know what they sell for now. The 6500 is the same quality, just fewer features. You can get a very nice machine for $1500, so you don't have to shop at Walmart, or resort to a straight stitch only machine. I always quilt with a decorative stitch, and obviously that would not be possible with one of those. If you had other machines to use, a one stitch only might be a good idea. IMHO, only.
Bernina's are NOT the dependable machines they used to be. My 710 is going back for the second time and I have only had it 2 months. For $3500 this should not be happening.