My first machine with a thread cutter was a 3160 and I absolutely love it. I have since upgraded, but let me tell you that not only is the thread cutter a good thing, but also the needle up/down on the 3160. Love the convenience, but having your threads cut as you go saves time in trimming long strings when you are cleaning up the back of a quilt (especially if you are using a white fabric in the quilt). The needle up/down keeps your fabric in place as you pivot. Other really nice things are that the Janome motor is quieter than many other brands and that there is a speed control.
I have since upgraded to another Janome with a larger throat space, but I still love the 3160. I use it for classes and group quilting.