I bought the $199.00 model about 4 years ago, and it was about the best money I've ever spent. I love that machine, even though since then I've bought a small baby-lock embroidery machine, a BIG Janome embroidery machine, and the Baby Lock Evolution serger. But that Singer - what a work horse. It is totally gear driven - no electronics at all, and it has a small throat so it isn't good for actual quilting - but I love it for piecing, ruffling, etc.