Singer Quantum L-500...thoughts?
 

I'm wondering how I didn't know this machine existed. It seems to have all the features I want. Bigger harp space, thread cutter, knee lift, free arm, dual feed, and it's faster then my current Singer Stylist. I just learned to sew last year, and I love my cheap little machine. It's been great, I've made clothing for my daughter and a few quilts. I've owned it for nearly a year, and never had an issue until a couple days ago the tension got wacky (it turned out to be a combination of the foot and thread I was using...putting the thread on the horizontal spool pin rather than the vertical one fixed it).

I've been looking at the Janome 6600 and 7700, and the Pfaff QE4. Last I had looked at Singers I never saw this model. It has all the features I'm looking for, for way less than the other machines I've been researching. I have heard it's basically the same thing as the Pfaff Smarter 1100. I'm not sure if that means they're manufactured by the same company or just very very similar. I have a local Singer retailer so servicing won't be an issue. Any thoughts on this machine?

New Singers have a very poor reputation. Buyer beware.

My first and current machine is a Singer and it is fantastic...especially for how inexpensive it was. It's a bit small and lacks some of the features included in the L-500, Janome 6600/7700, or Pfaff quilting expression models. The L-500 seems like a great deal for the features you get, and I agree the reviews are mixed. But so are the reviews for the more expensive brands and models I mentioned. Plus I tend to base my purchases on my own experience rather than brand reputation.

It depends on what you can afford and what you're happy with. Singer belongs to the same company that owns Phaff and Vikings so I think the Singers are getting better. I recently bought a Singer Featherweight 75 that I love and feel it is much better quality than the one I bought 3 years ago (and hated). If you want a Phaff or Bernina look for a used one from a dealer. I bought a Phaff stretch and jeans for $200 last week for quilting, it had been traded for a newer model and I am very happy with it. Friday and Saturday Singer has 3 shows on Hsn, not sure they have the one you're looking at but when Singer has shows the prices are better and they usually have free shipping and extra easy pays.

If I had the money to purchase a new machine it would not be a Singer. I would choose a Janome.

I found the following review at http://www.patternreview.com . Might be others there too:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/Sewi.../Review/1/4458

The review mentions that the Babylock Serenade is identical? Might be worth checking out that machine too.

I personally would not buy a Singer; I would pay more and get a Janome. Both machines are likely to last 20 years, but I would prefer 20 years of no problems to 20 years of fiddling with tension, replacing bobbin cases, etc.

I have the L500 and I love it! It's not fussy about the thread it uses, has an 8 5/8 X 5 inch harp space, thread cutter, needle up/down and sews 1000 stitches per minute. The only bad thing I can say about this machine is that it notifies you too soon that the bobbin thread is low so you waste a fair amount of thread but I've gotten around that also--I use that thread to bind my quilts with. When I first got it one of the plastic feet broke--called customer service and the foot was overnighted to me--no questions asked. I've had it about 2 years now, sew on it everyday and never had an ounce of trouble with it. It is also cheaper than other machines with similar features--probably because it had such a bad reputation but that's good for me--I would never have been able to afford a machine with these features otherwise :)

Go for it, might just be the machine for you, you just might be a singer gal. Don't let anyone tell you what to buy, if you want it go for it. All brands have lemons, including the top of the line. Think of it this way, you will have more money for fabric in savings

Well said!

Personally speaking, they would have to PAY ME to buy a new Singer. This is just my personal opinion, so I'm sorry I can't help you.