I am a Bernina snob, nothing sews like a Bernina. Buttttttt.......a couple of years ago I bought a little Brother, it is the fore runner to the 6000i, and it's a great little machine. I bought it because I can no longer lift the heavy Bernina's to take to class and such. This little Brother makes a great stitch, a darn good button hole and has a host of features and decorative stitches. I only paid $139 for mine, you can get the 6000i on ebay for less than $200. I don't expect it last for ever, but I figure if it last a couple of years I've got my money out of it.