I usually just tell people I don't want to spend that much on a machine because I can sew crooked on a cheap machine or an expensive one, or a vintage one or a new one. Honestly, for the odd shirt I make, and little bit of quilting I seem to find time to do, my vintage machines are more than enough for me. In fact, some of the vintage machines do better at some things than the new ones. Buttonholes and FMQ for newbies are two that I've seen people mention more than once.
I have a vintage Bernina on my bench at the moment, and I wouldn't buy one after what I've seen under the hood. To be honest, there isn't a brand that's been on my bench that hasn't disappointed me in some way under the hood. Just like with a camera, I tell people to buy the one that fits their hand and that they bond with, brand doesn't matter.
I went to my first guild meeting last week, and I met a woman who can't get her brand new TOL Pfaff to do a nice satin stitch. I've heard people who love Pfaff, those who hate them, same with Bernina. I just told her it was a shame, and had she talked to her dealer.
As an aside, I went to this guild vs the other one, because I've heard about how "clicky" (I totally spelled that wrong) the other one is and -then- I ran into a lady from the other guild at an estate sale (fabric and quilt items only that was not advertised to the public as best I could tell, only guild and friends of guild people) who looked at me (possibly assumed because she didn't recognise me, or I was too young or something that I knew nothing) and proceeded to tell me what Fat quarters were. You can bet I had some snarky comments I almost let out at that. I guess what I'm saying is, if you don't like one guild, there's often another one in town, or in a town near you. I have my choice of about 5 within about 45 minutes of me - that I know about.
It's the same as the dodge chevy ford "wars", and the Apple vs PC, Nikon vs Canon and everything else. There will always be people who think they've got the only answer and will try to impose their ideas on other people. I just smile and nod usually. Then find someone else to talk with.