Hi and welcome from North Carolina!
I wanted to step up from my little simple sewing machine several years ago and got one of those fancy computerized Vikings for pretty big $$$$. I was so sorely disappointed. It had all kinds of fancy buttons and switches, but it didn't last long and couldn't be repaired. The service guys said that it wasn't worth fixing. I went to Walmart and got a "Heavy Duty Singer." No bells or whistles, but it does everything I ask of it.
Don't be so quick to toss your old Singer. It could be all you need.