The 6500 doesn't have a free arm, so you couldn't do cuffs, hems, or other circular things like that. If you wouldn't use those much, tgen I assume your current machine could. If you get the 6500, I highly recommend you get The Kenmore brand walking foot. I bought a brand that kept falling off after the first year. You have to order directly ftom kenmore's site but they had a set of four different feet for $50 when I bought. Much much higher quality if you don't get the 6600. At the price if a 6600 I would look at the 8200. It does soooooo much more plus has 11" throat, auto thread cutter , knee lift. Tons of feet. But for the under $1400 budget, I think you'd like the 6500.