Buy something pre-1970's so that you get an all metal machine. They straight stitch to beat the band, hardly ever break down (as in NEVER) if oiled and cleaned occasionally, and they will out live all of us on here!! A Singer 400 or 500 series would be great. They will do a few decorative stitches, but are all metal and very good machines. Or you could go even more basic with a Singer 66 or 99 (smaller machine), both of which only do straight stitch. I wouldn't waste my money on anything after 1970...they are all nylon or plastic gears and they wear down or completely wear out and stop working.