The fall is when many people upgrade their machines. You might be able to get a nice trade in bernina if you advertise to the local dealer that you are interested in buying one. I love the stitch regulator for fmq'ing. It really takes a lot of the guess work out of it. You might also check with your local quilt guild. Many of the ladies sell to each other for a better price.
The janome is a nice machine and the feet and attachments are much less money. My complaint was plastic feet and the drop in bobbin. I had always had a bernina and the janome felt strange to me. But, like everyone say's, try the machines and see which one has the features you want and feels right to you.