Servicing is the big thing. And classes too. I have a 1980 Viking which is still working great. Have in for servicing once and never oil. I have done many window treatments, cushion covers, quilts, clothing construction on it. I am religious about cleaning the lint out from the bobbin case. I bought a Bernina 3 years ago and biggest mistake. I wanted to use it for embroidery and quilting and big problems with tread breakage. Finally resolved after many many trips to dealer. I now learn that it should have been sent back to bernina in Chicago for servicing. Stick with Viking or Janome.