It depends. I have a featherweight, and it does do a great straight stitch, but I am always worried it will get scratched up or dropped or damaged in some way. Most of the time it stays packed up in its case. When I use it, I miss having the option of needle-down and being able to adjust the needle side-to-side the way I can with my Bernina. When I was younger, the nostalgia really appealed to me; that has lessened as I've gotten older and my focus has changed more to getting things done.
Personally, for taking to classes, I would prefer something in the Janome Jem series -- especially if it has needle-down. I wouldn't have to worry about it getting scratched or damaged and could just use it to death!