I bought a Viking Emerald last year for classes and piecing. LOVE it, I use the plastic 1/4 foot and get an accurate seam. It pulls the fabric straight which I guess some machines don't do.

I agree with Mom6 some of the older machines are great workhorses. Maybe just a little check by a local repair person and you will be good as new. .... and able to save for that once in a lifetime machine you want, which may well have free financing for 3-5 years.

Having said that ... check them all out and see which you bond with. Then: which machine has the best support for you locally and/or via the net. Check out used machines as well as many are upgrading and trading in thier current machines.

ali