the question to ask would be how long did you have the last one, how often do you use it. Because unless you are into vintage machines the cheap ones are not gonna last with heavy use. If you are using the machine heavily and don't want vintage you might want to save up a little longer for 400-500 range you can get a heavy duty straight stitch machine that will last. You could probably find a brother pq1500s in that range and that will last some of the more high end project runways run in the high 300's and get good ratings, but the low ends are made for occasional use. I have cheapo brothers for years but i am not sewing on them 8 hours a day, nor would I ever. My Brother SQ9050 ran 200 from walmart this time last year and she has not given me the least bit of trouble. I sew on her about once or twice every other week for classes and portability.