You sound just like I did a couple of years ago. I didn't have a machine but I wanted one... was thinking 4 to 500 dollars (which was a lot for me). Then I started looking and wow!!! But I also wanted to get a good one ... because when I borrowed my sister's and mom's they were really frustrating. I didn't want frustrating. I ended up with a Janome 6600 - - could not believe that I spent that much. But I have not regretted it for a minute. Love my machine. I did end up buying a Janome Magnolia for what my original price range was.. a smaller machine to take to the quilt shop