I would also encourage you to look at an older machine. I have a 4 year old Janomie I got when my 20 year old machine died. It is fine, but since then I've bought a Singer 66, a Featherweight, and a Necchi. The Janomie is now my back up. I just love the older machines, they rarely break down, if they do they can actually be repaired. They are work horses. Just my 2 cents.