>They have a bad reputation <
They do, but I have one I've sewed on for over 30 years -- made tons of clothes, everything I wore and much of what others wore, including many square dance dresses and matching vests and even the net petticoats -- a complete baby layette....and I now piece on it and even quilt some things using a walking foot. I love mine and it's been repaired only once, and then only within the last 3 years.
And I love the way the bobbin fills. No taking it out or unthreading the machine! I wish the new computerized Brother I have worked the same way.