Both of my 30+ year old sergers recently bit the dust, so I had been doing a lot of research on them. I didn't nees to spend an extra $900 to thread it as I have no issues with that, and determined that a machine with the coverstitch seemed more hassle to convert for small seams and change back. I ended up getting a Juki 654 DE in the Pearl line. It's a workhorse and under $400. I got mine at the Sewing Expo, but is available both at stores and online for good prices with no shipping fees. My others were old metal Babylocks, but I Never had a problem with them!