I have a Janome 6600 and a Bernina145. I love my Bernina for sewing clothing, I love my Janome for quilting. I never got a higher end Bernina because I never use the decorative stitches and the embroidery has no appeal to me at all. You could probalby get a Janome for as low as $1200. I understand there is a new Janome in the pipeline this spring and if so you will probably see a lot of used Janome for sale then if you can wait. I got mine used for $800 from an area quilt shop.