frudemoo

I don't know about Kenmores specifically. I think around $50 is the kind of price (for any machine) where you can decide how much you want it 'just because' and not worry too much. I'd be fussy about condition of paint and metal and whether it has all the parts, but other than that, it doesn't fuss me too much whether it's working because most of these machines are unlikely to be working the way you'd like them to be... and will probably need the wiring checked etc.

If you love it in this state, then you are only going to love it even more once you've got it cleaned up and sewing IMO