I have to agree about the older "workhorses". I have an old Montgomery Wards machine with drop-in cams. I LOVE that machine. It has all metal parts and I can sew almost anything on that machine. My mom bought it used in the early 1970s and gave it to me when I left for college. My first quilt was made on that machine.
My dh bought me a Singer when we got married because he thought newer was better. I ended up giving it away because it was so crappy.