Loaded question.
I have the newest Janome, and one that's 3 yrs old.
But my girls are:
1904 Singer 27 treadle
1942 Black Singer 221 Featherweight.
1950's Elna supramatic "the grasshopper"
And a 1970's era White "Jeans Machine".
Which one takes on anything?
The Featherweight. And the Elna, but it's built like a tank.
The Featherweight hummms when she sews. No whining, no shaking the table, no hesitation, and she's cute.
Did I mention she's cute?
She really is cute.
Bah, who am I kidding, it's an addiction. :)