I have 3 Janomes and love them. The first one I purchaed new and have never had a problem with it. It is 20 years old. I lucked into 2 others since that one. I have the 10000 and the 11000. If and when we sell our business, I will get in my car, drive 75 miles and but the lastest modle they have. I can't say enough about thses machines. I do lots of piecing, free motion quilting and embroidery, and have never had a problem with any of them.
I have a friend who bought the Bernina 830, and has had trouble with it from day one. I have 2 friends who own Vikings and they have had trouble, lots of trouble, with them. Those are all top of the line machines, and they have problems.
It's a shame you can't go and test them out. You have to be the judge.
Good luck in your search.