The thing is ... most of the machines that have the larger throat space ALSO have all of the extra stitches etc - so they are pretty pricey.
There is one that I found that has an almost 9" harp space, a thread cutter, and is a straight stitch only (also has a knee lever, and a toe button on foot controller for thread cutter) is the Juki line of machines which you can pick up for a fraction of the price of the highest end Janome or Bernina machines.
I really do wish more of the machine companies would come out with a "stretch" model (12" harp or more) that is a simple straight stitch with reverse, thread cutter, and bobbin winder. I'd love the harp space, will never use hundreds of stitches.