Originally Posted by
miriam
Well, I'm going to weigh in on getting a real nice vintage sewing machine. You can get one very inexpensively in most any city if you are patient. There are so many out there and many run just fine but may need a little cleaning. If you search this site you can find a massive amount of information on cleaning and fixing up a vintage machine. We have a whole section of QB dedicated to vintage machines. Browse that before you spend good money on a new plastic machine which will not last more than about 5 years with out breaking.
I know lots of people love vintage machines, I'm not one of them. I love my needle up/down button. I love my lock stitch. I love being able to move the needle to the left or the right. Not to mention all the other features of my electronic and computerized machines.
A *good* machine will last more than 5 years, plastic or not. I have a 13 year old Pfaff. It's been cleaned and serviced once.