I suppose the ranking of lust factor really only applies if you're into this kind of thing! After my last Janome lasted about 25 years with plenty of use and very little time being tuned up, I didn't even shop around. Just went straight to Janome. A solid workhorse with a few features, no digital or software bits and guaranteed for 15 years. My only complaint is the so-called automatic button hole-er is very fussy and I miss the old 3 step set up as I was so used to it.

Unfortunately at the time I purchased it in Toronto it was almost impossible to find a vendor that would help me in any way, eventually purchasing it though a local sewing school, fortunately at a discount because of the school. Although I ended up in touch with Janome directly and they did assist as best they could, it is a shame that there isn't a better representative in this market.