Well, I guess I'm in the middle of this machine-addicted crowd as I "only" have three (and a half) machines:
1. My mom's trusty 1971 Bernina 730 Record (such a great machine!)
1-1/2. My identical machine that's on loan to my DIL (bought new for $400 -- a small fortune in 1971)
2. 2000 Bernina 153QE (bought used in 2001 for $1500 specifically for the needle-down and knee-lift features)
3. 2009 Janome 6600P (bought used for $900 just this month)
I love my 153, but missed all the nice stitches that the 730 had. Greatly coveted the BSR on the newer Berninas, but they were way out of my financial reach. Found the same features I liked in the 153 + more stitch patterns than the 730 + many more "goodies" for less $$ in the Janome. I'm still getting used to it, but hope that it will be my "keeper."