I would look at the Kenmore. I've got a Viking, but still use my 30 year old Kenmore often.

I would totally go for an older machine- check out the older machines. My go-to spare is a Japanese made PINK Atlas, made in 1961. It's a zig zag machine, but more importantly, it's all metal, stitches like a champ, doesn't have cheesy plastic parts, or jump across the table, and she stitches like a little workhorse. All for $35.00. How can you beat that?

I have a high end Pfaff also and just bought a great backup machine from Craig list with is also a Pfaff. I can use my same feet on both machine. I love my backup machine as I take it to my sisters 200 miles away and do their mending and some project and don;'t have to worry about taking my "GOOD" machine. Good luck in your search.

I also own a Pfaff and am totally spoiled. I found I really liked my daughter's Jamome DC2010 when I got a chance to really sew on it. It doesn't have the IDT but it sews very smoothly. I can't vouch for how it would FMQ but for the price it is pretty sweet.

I love the Sears Kenmore that I bought for around 80$...
It is a Janome and I think I can do free motion better on this than my Husqvarna!!

Check it out!

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I think I'll check out some lesser cost Phaff when I bring my machine in. Just so I could use the same feet.
Thank you Lovequilts I really hadn't thought of that.

Dee

I bought the Kenmore mini for $100. My Sears had to special order; if you have a Sears that has it in stock it's a good little 2nd machine.
I bought mine after reading recommendation from a Board member here.

I love my Jem Platinum, but it runs about $300

Along the same line, I've been looking at the Janome , MC 9700 and the Horizon. Just looking on line, don't known if I can afford either and I hate going to the shop to look and then know I can't buy. If I'm not too out of line, if any of you have these, would you mind telling me the cost? Right now I am looking at $350 to get my MC8000 fixed, I can't see the touch screen anymore, and it has to be sent off to be fixed, about 2 weeks at least.

I would go to Walmart and pick one.up. Remember if you don't like it, you can return it. Saw a lady do that the other day. They allow returns on everything.

I feel your pain!! :-(
I wish they would put prices on their websites.
So at least you could do some research on them.