mea12

Would anyone have any advice as to which one is the best machine? I notice the 2.0 had some sketchy reviews 5 or so years ago and the recent models tend to look more consistently favorable. The 3.0 seems to have mostly good reviews. Likewise, I read of bobbin issues with the 3160 and those reviews also were from several years ago. I'm inquiring for a friend who will use for an only-machine..she has limited space and likes both for price and features. I'm a Janome person but really unsure about recommending the 3160 ..dealers no longer carry it so its now available online only as the 3160 QDC-B. I think the -B is the same just with a color change. Maybe the box feed is a plus? My friend says the Passport weighs more and both stitch very well. She intends to learn quilting but wants it to be able to sew on patches and hem jeans... any advice appreciated!

Ginaky

I have had a Passport 2.0 for several years and never had the first issue with it. I take it to quilt guild every week. I have 4 other Pfaff machines, so you can tell I do like them. The Passport machines have the IDT, which makes them great for piecing and pulling thicker fabrics through. I sewed through 2 layers of eyelet lace (with the binding on it and 4 layers of cotton fabric (slowly, of course), and it stitched with no problems at all.

intoquilting

I have the passport 2 and haven't had any problems with it. I bought it just before the 3 came out. I would like to have the thread cutter though. I use it to take to retreats and sewing days. I don't know anything about the Janome.

MariaM

I have the Passport 3.0 and have had absolutely no issues with it at all. I use it as a class machine and occasionally at home when my other machine is set up for embroidery or FMQ. The IDT is a great feature as you can use it with many of the feet. This is my first Pfaff and would definitely buy one again if I had to replace my main machine.

maminstl

I don't have either, but personally would go for the Passport simply because I would like a machine with IDT. I do look at them all the time, but have yet to convince myself that I "need" another sewing machine. Of course, I look at that Eversewn Sparrow 30 all of the time too.

JT

I would highly recommend the 3160 Janome. I use it all the time as my "to go" machine. Light weight, can go anywhere. It has many bells and whistles and are there when you need them, needle threaded, thread cutter, up/down needle, lot of great stitches, can quilt on it, get a walking foot. In my sewing group there are 5 of us. I was the first to buy this machine. 3 out of the remaining 4 bought one. The lone #5 had a featherweight, and is content with that, but if she needs something on a sewday, that her machine can't do, she uses ours temporarily. Great machine, absolutely NO problems.

bungalow59

I've had the Passport 3.0 for a little over a year now... It's an awesome machine.
Reliable, easy to use, great functions, stitches look great. Good luck!

Lady Diana

I HAVE had the 3160 as a class machine for years. Great machine. The thread cutter and up down feature I use the most. In class we do a lot of piecing, so the thread cutter is a must. If the Passport does not have either of these features, then I would vote no. Both machines seem to have good reviews from users. I'm a Janome girl....like my 3160 for class.

patricej

it sounds like either machine would be a good choice.
there's one thing i would recommend your friend consider, though.

is there a Pfaff dealer conveniently located to her that's certified by Pfaff as a repair facility?
if not, she should go with the janome.

a friend of mine has a Pfaff.
the dealer she bought it from switched brands and will not accept Pfaffs for repair.
in fact there are no Pfaff repair facilities anywhere around here and no other repair shops that take Pfaffs.
hers developed a problem and she has not been able to use it for nearly 3 years due to the problem finding a place qualified to fix it properly.
she can't even find the absolutely correct bobbins for it. she has to carefully keep track of the 2 that came with it because they are the only 2 that work in it.

Pfaff has a longstanding reputation for excellent machines so i am absolutely not trying to "diss" the brand.
i just know how important it is to have all the necessary fully qualified support within a convenient distance.

mea12

Thank you everyone. We learned that the 3160 has been replaced by a different model and has gone to internet-only sales. Dealers no longer stock it but will order it for $700-$800...a bit high for that model. She can save a lot by ordering online from other vendors but did not get to test-drive one. Will look at Passport later this week and I have a feeling she will go for that one since it'll be available to test-drive and has all the features she needs and then some. Its good to know its well-liked here!