I haven't read all the posts here, but I had to say I am a big FW fan. I have three and would buy another if I saw it at a good price. I love sewing on them. I have other more high end machines, a couple of Vikings and Bernina's, among others. But you just can not beat the FW straight stitch. It is precise every time. I have done comparisons and the FW will always win.
Another thing that amazes be about it is how even though it is light weight, it does not feel like you are sewing on a light weight machine. I have used a few of the lighter weight Singers and others and they feel like they will bounce off the table or they rattle and whine. Not the FW. When it is running like it should it should purr like a kitten.