Machines do not have to cost a lot to be good... Take care of it, use decent thread C&C is fine for the low end machines.... i have a brother dealer that explained to me that Brother has come a "long way"...
I read reviews for a machine a Walmart for about 90.00 that had fabulous reviews...
On the Singer note.. i bought a CG Singer model 500 for 185.00 on line,, that is one of the best machines ever!!!
fast and heavy dute,, you can find it on YouTube... but i would recommend getting the 550 for just a bit more....