Starbucks, Harley Davidson, Mercedes Benz (or Rolls Royce) and Bernina. Buy the best you'll always have the best! I have the 440 QE also and LOVE it. Now I'm wanting the newest 710. yum

but i'm going to throw this thought out. i believe the 200 series is not swiss made. it's made in china or taiwan...can't remember. so you are buying a swiss designed machine, but not a swiss made one. and, if you are on a budget...those bernina feet can be spendy. i would look at other machines which might offer a bigger harp space. i have a viking 140c, which i love. I would, in hindsight, also look seriously at the janomes.

Harley Davidson-all depends on what year! quality control has gotten better in recent years, but there was a run when the saying was "more time polishing than riding"! same can be said for high end items of every type-guitars-martin had a run of bad years, starbucks,,,,well, i'm a wawa fan myself <g>.

go shopping and find your likes/dislikes. but enjoy the process!

A LQS owner that sells Berninas just got back from a tour of the Bernina factory in Thailand.

I have an older Bernina, a 1260, very happy with it. I have a Brother 1500, Singer Quantum and Janome and several vintage Singers. The Quantum makes the best stitch of them all so I use that for any decorative stitching.

I have two Berninas and love them both. They are expensive and I did a lot of research on them prior to getting them. I have a wonderful dealer and had some one on one training on the 440 QE. They've been great about talking me through problems over the phone when possible. There are several great machines out there and one of your considerations should definitely be the local dealer. You can have the best machine ever but if the dealer isn't 'user friendly' it's not worth it. Good luck on your purchase, whatever brand works best for you.

Mimmy...Berninas are great machines and it would last a long while but in the case of the 210...you are paying top dollar for 11 stitches, no adjustable foot pressure (requires purchase of expensive walking foot), no blanket stitch, and a small harp. This might be ok if you don't do applique and if you piece a lot but don't machine quilt. I'd prefer the mechancal 1008 but I think it costs even more than the 210. For what the 210 costs, your dollar can go much further in another brand. but if you LOVED that one..understand its limitations, don't intend to machine quilt and can get a walking foot...it will be very capable, reliable and one you can keep for a very long time. What is the cost at the lqs? I think they normally go for $700-ish...some dealers charge more. I'd definitely shop around if your dealer is one who is charging $1000 for that machine.

I don't have a 215 but I have the older 125 (I think they are very much alike) I think it is a very good machine and have not had any issues with it. I have several machines so normally use this as my take with (I got it at a very good price when a store was closing) and love the way it sews.

I have had a Bernina 430 for 6 years and love it. I can use any thread including Coates and Clark and have had no issues with it needing cleaning although I always clean my machines fairly frequently. I have only had it serviced once and I use it almost every day. My dealer is great and had a good class for me when it was new.
It is the Rolls Royce!

I would suggest that you try a few different machines from different companies. I did that when I was looking for a new machine. It really helped me get a feel for various machines. I ended up with a Janome and couldn't be happier. I've had it for 10 years and have never had a problem. I'm glad I took the time to scope out my options because I was able to find a good machine in my price range with the options I wanted. Good Luck.

Thank you everyone.. now I am looking into Janome machines too... HSN has some great ones with payment plans... also comes with all the extra feet and such! ... I did love how the bernina sewed... BUT.. if there is something out there cheaper and works great then I want to go for that... I have never bought the best.. but yet want it to last me. Would hate to get a machine and not like it! :(

i had an old 1963 kenmore that sounded like a tractor... i got a bernina 440QE for my birthday one year ( i would never have spent that much on myself)... but this is the best machine i've ever owned! you will be amazed at the things you don't have to think about anymore! tension, stitch regulation,... i don't know if your model has a stitch regulator or an embroidery attachment... if you're gonna spend the $$$ get a cadillac! i love my little beauty! she's smarter than i am.