I found my Janome 6600 is the workhorse of machines. I have had it for 7 years. It is a great machine for sewing and quilting, It has taken everything I have thrown at it....jean quilts, lots of bags and totes. There is a janome yahoo group and they all say it is The Workhorse of all of the Janome machines. I have the 11ooo, 15000, 8900 SE, and Skyline 7 and two 6600 (one for home, other-cabin)....now that I see my list, I may need to purge. Love them all.
Good luck in your quest. Test drive the 6600...I think you will like it.