Well, I have one of the cheaper Wal-Mart Brothers (under $150). I sewed with it for 4-5 years. Yes, it sews ok, but I was always way off in my seams and never could seem to sew one straight. I blamed it all on me. Then a couple of years ago I got a new Janome 1600P for Christmas. WOW! What a difference! Also to mention that now my Brother will not load a bobbin. Something slipping in there and I don't know how to fix it. The tech who services my better machine says that Brother will not even give them information on these machines and he cannot get parts.
If I were without my Janome, I'd use my old Kenmore or my FW until I could replace it. Would not buy the low-end machines.