Have had the 6600, 7700 and now 8900. Only had problems with the 7700. Quite frankly my old Pfaff 7570 outperforms all of them for being bomb proof. I think the thread cutter causes some of the issues with any brand. Having said that I would be devastated without it. LOL I wish I could recoup all the money I've spent on machines and just get an easy basic model with no fancy features. No brand in mind for that.