All of the older Pfaffs - from the 2170 down are vertical bobbin. So is the Babylock Quest. Berninas are also vertical.

I find verticals far easier to adjust and undo snarls. If embroidering, I don't have to take the hoop off the machine to get at the bobbin. That applies to some quilting.

gneebee, How old is your older Bernina?
I bought a new 750 QE and the feet from my 1031 are not interchangeable and visa versa.
I do how ever love the dual feed on the 750. It is much quieter than the walking foot I use on the 1031. My piecing has been spot on.
All I wanted was a larger throat space for FMQ, the BSR and double blanket stitch. All of which I love along with the lights, large bobbin, needle threader and so far I have had no problems.
The more I use Bernadine the better she gets.
However I doubt I will ever use all of her of fancy stitches.

If you have a Bernina, you already have a machine that sews all types of fabric evenly. I agree with the earlier post, get a walking foot for your Bernina, and then when you get farther down the road with your quilting, you will know more of what you want from a machine, that your machine is not doing. I used my walking foot on my Bernina for garment sewing long before I started quilting. What is your older Bernina? Many quilters on this site have said their older Berninas were the best for quilting.

I would say to find a dealer and test drive any machine that you are thinking about to see which you like better. Personally, I have the new Bernina 780 and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! The dual feed is GREAT!! But 100 miles is a distance to go if you need servicing and such. Plus, most Bernina dealers I know offer free classes to learn your machine and that is always a good idea.

Please also keep in mind,it can be a real nightmare to find parts for Pfaff's. It's the reason a Pfaff dealer I know finally had to stop being a Pfaff dealer. His wait times for parts were typically 6 months at least. I can attest to that. I bought a used Pfaff at a auction, it needed a foot control and electric outlet plug to make it work. It took 5 months and they sent me the wrong one first. My Pfaff dealer was the worst I have ever seen. She wouldn't contact me with the status of my order for 5 months. I finally had to send her a e-mail that if I didn't hear from her, I would contact my state Attorney General's office and file a complaint.Strangely enough, she who had been avoiding speaking or e-mailing me, when I said that I was going to contact the state, right away she e-mailed me. My point is, make sure that you have a good dealer, it really makes a difference. By the way, my previous dealer told me that he sure wished that Pfaff could become a stand alone company again,rather that being a part of SVP.

If you are just starting out on the dark side to quilting. Why not just buy a walking foot for the bernina and purchase good quality accessories or quilting ie, cutting board, rotary cutter with new blades rulers. To begin with and see if it really is the hobby for you before spending so much. Then listen nd go to trial run machines you think you would like. The machines are very different and need plentY of looking at may be you will want a bigger throat to push quilt though which means looking at a different set of machines. Good luck and welcome to the best hobb hand site in the world.

the Pfaff 7530 WAS a great machine, but you can no longer get parts for it. The newer Pfaffs, as in the last 15 years, since they began making them in Asia rather than Germany, are of very poor quality. I had two TOL Pfaffs and got rid of them both, the latest being the Creative Sensation. Really a BIG disappointment. One thing too, the Integrated Foot on the Pfaffs is so convenient, but it does not work as well as a real walking foot. I agree with whomever suggested you get an older Bernina you can use on your feet with, and a good, BERNINA walking foot. I think you would be happier and I KNOW your wallet will be happier. Michelle