I do have a Bernina, but believe me it isn't a newer one. I bought it second hand at that. It's a Bernina 830 record.
Bernina makes a great machine, but it's not the only one that does a great job. One of the old Singers like the 15-91, etc, still make the prettiest straight stitch. So it really isn't about Bernina's. It should be about quilting. Money isn't the point, whether one has plenty of it, or very little of it. Cheers to all of you who have machines you love whatever make they are. And, cheers to everyone who loves quilting!