Bernina Virtuosa 153EQ owners...
 

What do you love and hate about your machine?
I read the reviews on Pattern Review.com, and the opinions are mixed. Lots of the sewers there are garment sewers and this is a quilting machine, so I trust your opinions more.
I have a chance to snag one at what I think is a GREAT deal in the morning. It's going to be my birthday present to myself if it checks out OK.
Thanks for your input!

I have one - bought it used from my longarmer for $800 in 2009 - and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. A great solid workhorse, not fussy, reliable, and does everything I've ever asked of it. It's been reviewed as one of the machines people most wish they had kept when they 'moved up' to more bells and whistles. It's old enough to be genuine Bernina in every respect and new enough to have the specialized features you want for quilting. My advice would be to grab it. Even if you decide you don't want it, it'd be very easy to resell at a very good price.

Thanks, Ghostrider!
Can you tell me if it takes the old style or new style foot?
The one I'm looking at has no accessories, but that's reflected in the price.

The new style...red numbers.

I have a Virtuosa 155 which is probably very similar. It is a wonderful machine that has never given me one bit of trouble.
I have never been sorry I bought it. I have had a Janome and Viking and neither one can compare to the solid quality of this Bernina,IMHO.

...eagerly waiting to hear what your decision was, dixie_fried... :)

It's a great machine, but not just for quilting, it's great for any type of sewing. Clothes, drapes, slipcovers. quilts. Anything you want to sew. The reason it's considered a quilters choice is because it has an oscilating bobbin, as opposed to a rotary bobbin. If it's a good price, grab it.