I have one and I love it. It is indeed a good sturdy machine ... no vibrating even at high speeds ... but not so heavy you can't pick it up off the table. Stitch quality is excellent, the thread cutter works and is quiet, needle threader is easy to learn and use. Being able to pop off the stitch plate is really nicer than I imagined ... so much easier to use than unscrewing the plate ... and I'm much better now about cleaning the bobbin case. My only complaint is and I say this about every Janome I've owned ..is that I think the default stitch for the 1/4 inch is very healthy. But thankfully, with the new straight stitch plate (it has 3 holes) you can move the needle over to the right as far as you want. Try the included "O" foot for piecing ... it's nice but I really like the clear view foot better. It does have the little metal guide but you can unscrew it .. which I did. It's just personal preference. I purchased this used at extremely good price so I'd have a machine for sew days and quilt retreats .. my other machine is an 8900 ... but had I tried this machine out in the store new ... mmm...I might have bought it instead ... and I like my 8900 ... it's just not as straightforward to use. Hope this helps,
Sherrie