The 740 is the remake of the 710. So, any problems they were having with the 710 should be worked out. The 7 Series machines are a different animal than the other Berninas -- whole different bobbin/hook system, and lots of bells and whistles. And you have to know all of the machine's rules. For example: The machine won't sew if you change the needle plate from straight stitch for embroidery to 9mm wide for decorative stitches, and forget to tell the machine you did that. Which is good. Because you'd break a needle if you tried to do decorative stitches with a straight stitch plate. You have to be comfortable with adjusting your tensions -- tensions are made adjustable, so you have control of it. There's really no such thing as "auto tension." It's hard to get used to the foot hovering instead of holding the fabric when you start. BUT, you can program it to hover OR to hold the fabric tight. It's also hard to get used to pushing a button to lift the presser foot, instead of reaching around to the back for the lever. But you'll get used to it. Those 7 Series Berninas are pretty awesome!