when i was 14 my dad bought me a necchi that he couldn't afford. i loved it for many, many, many years. i literally wore it out. those 33-yr-old quilts were started on that necchi. it was replaced about 20 yrs ago by the janome/new home 8000. it s a workhorse. never had a problem. ten years ago i added the viking #1. also a great machine, but not as nice as the janome.
if you ever have another chance to get one, run, don't walk.