I have a number of 'old' singers and I love them all.. However I had a Touch and Sew (I think).. it had a gold colored front panel that I bought new in about 1969 or so.. It was fine for most things, but I was making men's custom silk and wool suits and that crazy machine would not top stitch down the lapel and front of a jacket. Wouldn't make buttonholes for me.. I wanted to throw it in the street! I traded it in for a Bernina 830 and I have never had another problem with a machine. My old Singers sew perfectly, I don't think I'd bother with newer ones. Just my experience, I'm sure millions have bought Singers and are fine with them.