I searched for a new machine about 1-1/2 yrs ago. Had my mom's old 810 Bernina. Sewed great just wanted a bit more updated version. Couldn't afford a new Bernina. I ended up with a New Janome 6500 at a great price under $1000. I have had no complaints at all! Best advice I can give is to make a list on the things/options you really want. Like needle up/down, knee lift, self cutter, etc. ME... I knew the most important thing was a wide throat plate for rolled up quilts! It has 200+ stitches but only really have used those when I made a Krazy Quilt. Good Luck in your search!

I have a kenmore, and I am getting a janome 6500P on Monday I discovered they do have the same automatic threader.......

I have 3 Brother machines and I love them. Both were inexpensive and are real work horses. Nothing fancy means less to break or go wrong and easy to fix if necessary. 2 of these I found at yard sales, barely used, so they were really cheap.

I am a huge brother fan. I am looking at the NX90q (I think that is the number) but am saving. My current brother has been very well traveled and is 22 years old and still cranking out the seams beautifully. It wasn't a super expensive (probably less than $200) and has thousands of hours on it.