Look at Craig's List. If that doesn't pan out, go with the Brother.

Get the brother, but look around and get the better one. And start checking the Salvation Army and thrift stores in your area. Forget the Goodwills. I picked up a Kenmore at my big SA store a couple of weeks ago for $14.99, and I love it. It had everything but a zigzag foot. THat actually cost me a couple bucks more than the machine...still well worth it.

I teach sewing, and occasionally let one of my students have one of my machines so they can sew at home. Hence was talking to my sewing machine mechanic a few days ago, and he said to stay away from all of the new Singers. They have been bought out, and the new ones are trash. I asked him what he recommended and he said the best ones on the market today are Brother and BabyLock. I have a Pfaff 7570, a Brother 6000i, a Viking 1100 that is on permanent loan, and a New Home older model. I like them all, but will only buy a Brother for a student now. You can get them reasonable. And if you want to buy on-line, go to Ken's Sewing in Muscle Shoals, ALA. They are very reliable, reasonable, and do a great job of packaging for shipping. You can get a good Brother for around $100. Also, their factory reconditioned ones are great, too. Hope this helps. M

I have a Brothers PRW model that does the 80 stitches, and it is great for making my mind up for me, lol. I keep the manual close to hand, and consult it to see what stitch I would probably like the best for what project. And the buttonhole foot makes it really easy to make a buttonhole. I paid $149 or so for that one. I really like the drop in bobbin, too. Lol....front bobbins and I have issues, but my Kenmore is teaching me.

Go to www.shopGoodwill.com and check out their sales...you may find something nice there.

Brother, I have two of Them

got rid of my $400 Janome and now have a couple high end vintage - Singer 403 and an Elna SU. Much happier. Go green - the vintage have a great track record and will last a very long time with good care and hold value. Much less expensive even if you buy at a repair shop.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-134918-1.htm - some quilts made on vintage machines
http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1013
There is a lot of info on this board about vintage sewing machines - somewhere there is a gallery of pictures too.
I gave my DIL a Singer 503 and she totally fell in love with the machine and with sewing. She wasn't at all slighted that I got her an old machine. Kids these days think different than we do I guess. She named her's after her grandma Margaret.

Buy a used singer ,Vintage machine.

I am near Knoxville, and I have one of the walmart Singers. It's ok, but it feels cheap. I'm looking on Craigslist for a replacement. There are plenty of solid machines for less than what a plastic one at Walmart costs