I have an opportunity to buy a 4 year old, completely refurbished Janome 6500 for a great price. The price hasn't been set yet because the machine just came into the sewing shop as a trade in for a new machine. The sewing machine repair person, with whom I've been dealing much too often on my sewing machine, says he will clean up the machine, fix anything that doesn't work, see how much wear and tear it's taken, and then we'll discuss price. Depending on the condition, he was thinking in the $300 to $600 range. I'm going to take some fabric and spend a couple of hours just sewing on it before I make my final decision to buy, and that was just fine with them. So, all you ladies and gentlemen with a Janome 6500, do you like your machine? Does it do what you want? What are the pros and cons! I need to know before I possibly make this purchase, because this represents a big purchase for me right now.

OMG! If he will give you a 6 month warranty or such, $600 is a great price, and lower is greater!! You will love the machine. It is a workhorse!! Grab it!!!

The big difference with the 6500 vs the 6600 is the built in walking foot and the larger harp (opening) on the 6600. For that kind of price, you are well off to buy the 6500 and just use the separate walking foot.

All Janome's are great. I am a great fan - the value is there!!

you lucky girl i had to pay full price for mine and i love it.
the best machine i own. did i say that i love it more each time i sew with it. love it love it. blessings ogama

I believe the 6500 and 6600 have the same harp/throat size

I just bought the 6600 and was first considering the 6500. The key differences that I remember
* accufeed on 6600 (it's aready to go walking foot, instead of changing feet everytime for the walking foot and back again)
* better lighting
* more stitches

Also, check to see what feet/accessories are included with both. You might want to negotiate for more to be thrown into the deal. And as suggested already, get a store warranty!

You might want to do what I did ... I started looking at the 6500 and asked, what the next step up was, and what the differences were. I felt the extra $ were worth it to me.

The 6600 has a start stop button so you can sew without a foot pedal.

My 6500 is a dream come true. It is a machine that likes what it likes. It is choosy about thread but not all the time. The thread cutter is wonderful. As is up down button.

For that price you can't go wrong. I have had mine for four years and I would consider it to still work like new despite making maybe 60 or 70 quilts, doll clothes and all sorts of other crafty things. Mine rarely has a chance to cool off.

Thanks! forgot about that!

I have 6500 & I like everything about it except I would have liked more decorative stitches.

I have had the 6500 for four years now. In that time I have made 23 quilts of various sizes and numerous smaller quilted projects. The Janome does all that I need at my current skill level. Absolutely love it. Other than yearly maintenance, I have never had to take it in for repairs. It's an absolute work horse.