I have the Sapphire 835, purchased for $1,000 in 2011. It is a wonderful machine...I do FMQ (although I still need to improve my skills) using the free motion spring setting (there is a second free motion setting that when I use it seems to make the threads break...probably user error). I love the walking foot that came with it and all of the specialty feet. I did buy the clear 1/4" foot which is my go-to foot for piecing. I love the wide throat, which does not seem to be available in a lot of machines in the less-than-$1,000 price range. I think $700 is a fair price for the model with specific quilting features; I did not get that model and it still is great for everything I do, which is mostly quilting.