If you live in an area with a quality dealership, one interested in meeting customer needs with an in-house repair guy, you may be able to get a used machine that has been taken in while previous owner upgraded or floor demonstration model that counts as used. If it's straight sewing with some decorative stitches, vintage machine with cams may be the way to go but they are heavy, heavy, heavy. Agree with Sewnoma: if one of those hits the deck/dog, more damage done to animal!!!