I would get the Janome7700 Horizon.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

I bought a sweet sixteen bernina and its' last years model but I love it andit was in your price range

I second Melinda's thoughts. See what the Babylock Serenade offers. When these come out, the Quest Plus may be available for less. I just bought one for $1300, and I've read of them for as low as $1000. Try to get the kit of 9 extra feet. I didn't :( The Pfaff Smarter looks quite similar, but with auto cut, low bobbin warning, electronic tension and famous Pfaff feet. The Janome 6600 is also similar, and older. It doesn't have a free arm. It has a proven record of dependability and loyal users. The Janome Horizon has THE longest harp-11"! and the most features for $2300-$3000, but some machines have been troublesome. I might upgrade to it in a year or so, when the bugs are gone, hopefully. Elna has the 740 Xcellence, similar to the Horizon, but it's not clear to me if it has the APC, or automatic conversion to single hole plate. It's new, so the first model caveats apply. Bernina machines in your price range do not have anywhere near a 9" throat, but their owners love them anyway. The Pfaff QE 4 ($2000-2500)has some who love it, but apparently some lemons, too. Mostly, you need to decide if you want certain features like IDT/ Accufeed or if a walking foot is ok for you. The brother Laura Ashley ($2500) machine and Babylock Symphony are loaded with great stitches and feautures, but don't have the integrated dual feed. They also seem to have good histories.

I also have the Brother QC1000 and use it almost every day. I love it and it has far more functions that I will ever use. It was right around $2000.

I would get quotes from each vendor and then barter a little. Because of the economy they are able to deal a little bit more than usual.

I am a Bernina person through and through. I'd go that way. They are very user friendly. I would be sure to get the needle up/down option and the hands free pressure foot system for sure. They are something I wouldn't want to do with out. When I use my featherweight, I miss both of those features, and catch myself trying to use them. The needle up/down also amost assures you that you will never unthread your needle when you start sewing. Have fun with what ever you buy. It's always exciting to get a new machine. Oh, yes, make sure you get a dealer that will support you with knowlege, service, and lessons. Very important!!

I have a decorators choice and love it!!

janome has that new sewing machine, really neat, lots of options on it, it's called the 7700. if i could afford it, i'd have that one.
donna

Of course, you should sew on all your finalists, get classes included if buying from a dealer, and HAGGLE! It's hard for us Americans, but I learned in Africa, and it works here too. I got my BL Quest Plus for $300 less than the originally stated price, with little effort, and then got a few extras included. I wished I'd had pushed harder. We are so programmed to be polite, to our detriment sometimes. I also wish I had seen the Smarter by Pfaff before I bought. I don't know when the Serenade is coming out, and I'm having fun now, so that's okay. The janome 7700 Horizon or Elna 740 Xcellence might be my next step, but not first run machines. If I was after a straight stitch only machine, I'd look at Jukis for $600-900. I dont know a thing about Vikings, but some quilters love those too. After just a month with my BLQP, I now must have Integrated dual feed, knee lifter, 9+" harp, needle up/down button, lock stitch button, snap on feet, and cute stitches. This after 20 years with <10 stitches, and auto-nothing!

The best one that I have found is the Brother that I have. It has a 9" throat (I know some are bigger now), and a very flat, wide bed area. It came with two extension tables and has a telescopic arm for the thread holder. I can adjust the pressure and height of the needle, it has a side loading bobbin and the needle threads from the LH side. The quilting stitch is very nice as it is a dedicated straight- stitcher only. It was $1,000.00 and I think it is my best machine, even though I paid $10,000.00 for another brand that doesn't work.