I have the Janome MC 9500. I have never had a problem and mine is about 6 years old. At that time I paid $1,800. I bought it from Ken's Sewing Center in Florence/Muscle Shoals, Al. I really like mine. The only thing I wish was different was the size of the hoops and I can't make the writing small enough, although I have made several quilt labels on it. As far as the kind of thread, you should use spool embroidery thread for your embroidered pieces.

Sounds like she would let you try it out. If it works, I'd go for it.

You ask about loudness. I have that machine and don't think it is loud but nothing else to compare it to. Just sounds normal. Good luck.