First off, I think TOL is not important. It is what you like, what works for you. And what you can afford.
I have a Singer Precision, purchased May, 2009, $199.99 Target. Best features? None! What do I use the most? The pedal. Feature not used? Needle threader -never worked anyhow. Buy again? Probably not. I am used to Betsy Bobbin and just paid $50.00 for a tune-up. She is happy, I am happy. When she quits and the White quits, I quit!!!(I do have an over 60 year old White that I can fall back on....doesn't do as much as this one does, just goes back and forth and now is the best backup anyone could ask for!
Unless, of course, I win a lottery!!!!! Or a jackpot at the casino! Don't scoff --- my Mom won a $400 jackpot and bought herself a Husqvarna and made the most beautiful quilts you have ever seen. And she was in her 80's. (I don't think the casino was too happy because she didn't put the money back into the machine. I learned that from her as well as everything I know about quilting. I just don't win $400 jackpots......just $10 - $20. I save that for fabric, tools, thread, what else do I need??????
Hey, Minnesota - beautiful day today! Make it a good one! Edie