My dd and I both own and use older Berninas. She has a 930(1985) and I have a 1031, both are mechanical. My dd makes costumes and she says her machine will sew just about anything she can get under the presser foot.
I bought the 1031 new in 1992, it just had its annual tune up and sews as good as new.
I also use an old Pfaff 1222E(about 1976) sews beautifully.
My granddaughter(10yrs) uses an older Janome Jem gold 2 and she's happy with it. She learned to sew on a 1931 Singer 99K hand crank, she likes that one too.
I'm a quilter and make garments occasionally too.