Hi Gail,
Do you have the 740? I noticed that I indicated the wrong machine in the title. I was impressed with the 720 that I tested in a shop (I didn't try the 740, as the 720 was at the top of my price range). I have read that on some 740s (it appears the earlier ones), that when you stopped, the machine took a few extra stitches. People with later production models say they haven't had that issue. I wondered if you have experienced that?
I found the machine at an excellent price. It is off of ebay. Which I'm just not sure about. The seller does not know how old the machine is (it was traded in for an upgrade to the 760). I'm thinking the seller perhaps has a shop. The seller says it was tuned up/sewn out by an authorized Elna dealer. So on the one hand it is an upgraded model that I am unlikely to be able to afford new. But there is a certain amount of risk there.
I test drove a Janome 8200 at a local dealer (they were super nice). But that really is out of my comfort zone for what I feel like I can spend. While I loved the machine and the 11 inch throat space, and I love some of the other features - most of it is more machine than I need if I have to also consider what it costs new (though for the right price I would snatch it up in an instance!!!)
Dawn