I personally would buy some of the new cheaper models, like Sears Kenmore or Brother. I got a free Brother one time and it runs great. I also had a Sears Kenmore that, while somewhat touchy on the tension once in a while, was a workhorse and loved to sew thick fabric, cotton not so much, but it worked. It worked so well and I quilted so much that I actually burned out the motor. It's very unnerving to literally see smoke coming out of your sewing machine. Guess I was really smoking. lol. I have a friend with the same model Kenmore that I burned up and it's still running great.