First assess where you are as a sewist/quilter. THEN choose a sewing machine that best meets your needs. Read the reviews for the kind of machine that meets your needs. There is something to be said for the old mechanical machines. Also, while it is good to have a relationship with a dealer/repairman, life can bring changes and you may not always be in the same place.
I am an "old dog" with a DH that would be thrilled to buy me anything I wanted with EVERYTHING on it. I have finally convinced him that I love my Bernina 1200. It meets my needs perfectly. . . just like DH!

Treasureit,
If you like the Viking then you might consider trading it for the new Viking Quilter's machine. I am not certain of the exact design name for it but one of the instructors at LQS has one and loves it.

I bought the Viking Diamond Deluxe last summer when it came out, and I was retiring from work. Was already into embroidery on a Pfaff 2170 but wanted a bigger machine with a bigger opening for quilts than the Pfaff. The Diamond Deluxe fit the bill and I have not regretted it one bit, and I am still "growing" into it.

SVP Corp. is not a Chinese company. Singer, Viking and Pfaff are their products and yes, their major components are made in Sweden but assembled in China. But Berninas are also done in China. The certified machine tech at LQS was once a Bernina salesman and told me that Bernina's were made in China before Pfaff and Viking ever were.

I had buyer's remorse buying a lower end machine. My brother sucked as a quilting machine. The only person I know of who has regretted their higher end machine probably would be fine with it, but she seems to have gotten a lemon AND has a dealer who isn't helping her.

I don't know where you're from, but there are currently 2 Viking Designer machines on the Milwaukee Craigslist for very good prices. One is $1700/ the other $1800. These are around $5000 retail. If I had the money they'd be at my house.

I have a Baby Lock "Ellisimo" ,love,love,love it, I am very glad I purchased it, have had it a little over a year do a lot of special things for family and friends.

Easy to use YES, Pricy Yes, we'll worth Yes.

Well, back in, oh, 1983 or so, I bought a Pfaff synchrotronic 1229 on sale at a local shop for $750. A huge amount of money for me at the time, but I was at home with 4 kids and sewing most of their clothing. Since I had 2 boys, and we lived in Rhode Island, I was using lots of corduroy. The guy let me take it home to try it out, and when I had it at home, I kept doubling layers of corduroy till I had to cram the layers underneath the presser foot. It sewed through all of them without a hitch, so I decided the next day to buy it.

When I went back to pay for it, and told the dude about my test, he told me, "well if I had known you were going to do that I wouldn't have sent it home with you!"

My Pfaff was on sale because they were just starting to come out with rudimentary computer electronics, and mine was outdated. Which suited me fine, because I didn't want fancy, I wanted tough. My machine has lots of special stitches, and I never used any of them except the blindstitch hem.

I still have that machine, and it is a workhorse. I use it almost every day, and I have sewn countless suits, short sets, prom dresses, wedding gowns, and now quilts. I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I am considering finding another used one to keep on hand for parts in case mine breaks down.

But, no, even though it was so much money at the time, I never regretted it. Not for a minute.

This could have been me that wrote your post! =0) I too have an SE and I too am having trouble loving the newer machines. They just don't seem to be built as well, and the prices are a bit much for me. I'm keeping my SE but am adding a dedicated straight stitch quilter machine in the next couple of months.

I have both the Janome 11,000 SE & the Janome Horizon 12,000. LOVE them both, but I NEED to sell the 11,000 SE. I kind of got talked into getting the top of the line, and love it but I cannot afford 2 machines. Anybody know someone who wants one? I live in Michigan

I have loved my Janome 10001 for the past 10 years, no regrets buying that one. A couple of years ago I decided that the Viking 875Q had all the new bells and whistles (thread cutter - large harp area), and bought it. Wish I never had that urge, the machine is loud (the Janomes are so quiet), vibrates like crazy. I regret that purchase. I should have paid more for the Janome Quilter at that time, the harp was a bit smaller, but the machine worked well.