I would take a look at Juki machines. I now have two of them, the Juki TL98Q a heavy duty fast straight stitch machine and my brand new Juki Exceed 600 with all the bells and whistles. I am in love with both of them and they piece and quilt beautifully without balking, growling, jamming and breaking needles like my Janome 6500 did at seam junctions. For about $2500 you could buy both of these machines (TL 210Q is the newer model of my first Juki). My friends paid over $4000 for their Berninas and I don't think they sew one bit better than my Juki.