I have my mothers 40 yr old Bernina and bought a singer 401 for $12 at a yard sale and invested about $15 into cleaning it up. I'm pretty new to quilting but not sewing. I just need to piece and do basic stuff. I'd get something reliable and inexpensive to start and invest in a better machine after you know what your "mission" needs really are. Enjoy the hunt! I think we all look at machines and test drive them at every shop we hit!