Originally Posted by
bearisgray
Are there any other models that are comparable to the 237?
The Singer 401/403 and 500/503 are well-built machines with zigzag and decorative stitches. A sewing machine mechanic that I know prefers these over the 237 because they can be adjusted in ways the 237 cannot. Others here can confirm or refute this; it's out of my realm.
The Kenmores with the 158 serial number prefix are Japanese-made, and they're excellent, solid machines. Their motors tend to have a bit more zip than the Singers. They're well worth $200 or more, but can often be found for a fraction of that price. I avoided Kenmore for years because I had a negative association with Sears. Now I'm a convert; the post-war, pre-plastic-gear Kennies are hard to beat.