I'm not certain of these facts, but I heard back some years ago the original Singer company sold to a japaneese company and right about that time the Quantums came out and there was a lot of trouble with it and a great deal of other Singers at that time. Have heard that the machines they are making now are really good. My daughter has a Quantum and hasn't had a lot of trouble but she has had to have it in the shop a couple of times. She would like to have a Viking or Bernina, but doesn't sew enough anymore to warrant the cost.