Given that I am getting older and my sight isn't what it used to be, the auto needle threaders are awesome!!! And extra throat space is what I wanted more than anything when I bought my used machine recently. I couldn't afford a new machine with a lot of throat space, but I did splurge on a used Bernina and am so happy I did. That might be a good compromise for you, find a good used machine with more bells and whistles than you might be able to swing if you bought new.