Entry level Bernina or mid-range Janome etc?

[Celia]

I've never test driven a car or a sewing machine...haven't got the self confidence.
Mind you, I would never buy online.
It's your choice

I so nearly did that with a car years ago, I ordered the same car as I had but newer version, thank goodness at the last minute I thought I had better take it for a test drive and couldn’t get my knees under the staring wheel, it was before the adjustable ones came in.

[Helen M]

Janome aren't really a newcomer to sewing machines @jen1r.  They formerly went under the name New Home. My first sewing machine was a 1975 New Home electric as they were called back then although I learned to sew on my great grandmother's singer (127?) many years previously. I've stuck with Janome ever since although I prefer Brother for overlockers.

The only Bernina I've sewn on was at a sewing class in a local high school but I really didn't care for it.

You have to get the feel for the machine and we are all different!