I am getting the impression that it does not matter how much we pay for a new machine, it is still a new machine and it seems as though they are not as well made. So many write about the problems they have had.
I was looking for a back up machine a few years ago and was not getting positive information about new machines. I called a sewing store that also sold machines and learned that the owner was "collecting" a certain model of New Home machines, claiming they were the best ever made.
A Light bulb went off in my head. Within the next 6 months I was able to find this machine on eBay, and bought 2 more of them. Rhey are 20+ years old and mine always sewed like a dream. They were among the first computerized machines. Since then I have given one to my daughter...and have 2 that I keep set up to use for certain types of sewing. I spent only a fraction of what I would have spent on a new machine. No, i will not buy a new machine!
June in Cincinnati