OK I bought a new machine in the last year.
One of the things I wanted was more decorative stitch but that was coming from a machine with 23 stitches. I also wanted better feeding and better motor for sewing thought layers. I prefer a front load bobbin. Now that I have a knee lift, I use it a lot. However in trying out machines and borrowing a 9mm machine I learned that I like the 5.5mm feed dog. I do really like the 1/4 inch foot and can see improvements in my pricing with it.
I bought a Bernina 535. I do have more than a couple complains about the machine and the company but have been shown how to get the decorative stitches from other Bernina models which to me is a plus. I would not buy a machine solely based on the number of stitches but as a person I am bit shocked that there is not a site/location that sales decorative stitches for machines.
Today would I make the same purchase maybe.