I, too, love my Viking. Mine is about 10-12 yrs old. Platinum model. Throat not overly large but that was not a consideration for me as I hand quilt. But I've never had it serviced and it just hums along and does anything I ask. Has some embroidery stitches but it not an 'embroidery' machine per se. Was about $1200 new but I believe they have new models for less today. JMHO.