I have had and have all kinds of Singers and the older ones (pre 1970 or so) are mostly great. I have been sewing for 40+ years with industrial style machines and working with couture design houses so I have used them all over the years. I like the slow and precise stitching older Berninas have to offer and they will go thru thick fabric but I recently acquired a Pfaff 1222E. This machine has more power than any home style machine I have ever used. You will get many personal opinions on this subject.