I am fascinated by the comments about the features and feet needed to quilt in the above comments. My old 830 uses one foot (1) and I have never taken the zigzag lever out of straight. The only other foot I have used is the walking foot for doing long quilting lines and bindings.
As far as I can tell, you use a simple zigzag for applique work and straight for everything else. And I don't do applique.
So for a first machine, a 1970s Bernina 830 that has been gone over by a Bernina repair expert, with the extended table. It will last forever, mine I have abused for 10 years now and it just keeps on ticking. It is strong enough to actually quilt tops, you can roll a whole lot of quilt into it (I've quilted queen size quilts with it), and as others have said, Bernina stitches are beautiful. No, it does not self thread and no, it does not stop needle down (except when it feels like it). Small price to pay for a tremendous first (and in my case) last machine. tim in san jose