I just used the Brother cs6000i at my son/daughter in laws house to fix some Halloween costumes and sweat pants. We got that machine to leave there several years ago and it worked perfectly straight out of the box and over several years of use. I am the only one who uses it and it sews a nice stitch and is not fussy with thread. I don't think I have ever changed a needle. It sees through anything very nicely. I have vintage machines too and like them but also have mechanical Brothers and they are very nice machines.