Thanks Prism99,
I have been sewing on and off on the 401 the last few years and learned to sew on the 404. I have to say that I am comfortable with the 401 and wonder if I am just being "seduced" by the high tech look and ease of the new machines.
After giving the go ahead on repairing the 401 earlier today, I actually called the repair shop back this afternoon and told them to hold off on repairs because I wanted to think about it over the weekend. I guess the deciding factor may be which one would be easier to quilt on...I made a table runner last winter and am now hooked and ready to tackle a bigger job.
Maybe the thing to do is to spend under $200.00 now , make sure quilting will be a part of my life , then spend the big bucks for a really nice machine?!