I prefer the older machines to the new ones because they aren't nearly as fussy, I can lube, oil, and clean them myself without having to pay big bucks to send them to the shop for yearly maintenance and they have worked flawlessly for much longer than the expensive new machines will ever last. The older ones don't have computer chips to worry about and I can get a magnet close to one without having to be concerned with messing up its memory. Also the old ones sew over anything. My new Janome 7700 doesn't like sewing over multiple layers of seams where blocks join together. I still like my newer machines for embroidery and fancy stitches but inevitably find myself using the older machines for piecing and quilting. Ann in TN