I bought my Husquavarna (sp?), Sapphire 870, about two years ago for around $2000. It must have been a moment of madness, spending all that money. Oh well.
It's a nice machine, lots of bells and whistles, and a large throat area for quilting. BUT, there isn't a lever to raise the sewing foot. You have to tap the foot pedal. Drives me crazy! I'm forever reaching back there to lift the foot. And, I don't use it for piecing because I find it so hard to line up the fabric with the needle. Boo hoo. As I said, a moment of madness and now I'm paying for it. Serves me right.