I understand your love for the touch and sew machines. My 778 is still working, too. I loved using them to teach children to sew. The low speed is perfect for learning sewers. (I can't tell you how many times I sewed through my fingernail when I was learning on my mom's 15-91).
As Joe said, the "dissing" is related to the plastic gears. I once bought 20 sewing machines in an auction. All of the touch and sews (4 or 5) had shattered gears. Leon sent me a 750 for my kids and it's gear under the bobbin winder shattered within 2 weeks. Replacing the gears is not for the faint of heart. Having it done professionally was around $200.00. I'm not sure what the cost is these days.
Learning that the gears disintegrate discourage most people from recommending the Touch and Sews. One they buy one and it dies, they are not happy. They sew well when they work. Keeping them in a controlled environment (not in a shed or garage) prolongs their life.
I agree. They can be great machines.
Bkay