4-5 years ago, when I ventured into sewing, I bought the Janome Sew Precise which was about $300. I absolutely love it. It's a work horse, yet has plenty of patience with me (I am sure it 'rolls its eyes' at me alot!). Now, I'm looking at the Janome 6600 and hope to be able to save up and buy one by the end of the year. That being said, should I happen to have an unexpected windfall of money, I would probably get a Bernina. But the Bernina I want is way out of my price range in the foreseeable future.