SINGER models # 6199 and 6180
 

hi - I have a chance to purchase one of these Singer sewing machines..for around a hundred dollars...does anyone know anything about either of these models> the 6199 has 100 stitches built in, the 6180 has 80 stitches....just wondering if its worth my hundred dollars, both of them look like they are in good shape.........help.........

I did a search of completed listings on eBay. You can buy a new one from Target for $150 with free shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Singer-6180-...item4620241b58
http://www.target.com/p/singer-6180-...sewing+machine

Here's one that sold on eBay for $69 ($53 plus $15 shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Singer-6180-...item33a81d0618

I found these completed listings for the 6199 on eBay. Note that only green prices indicate actual sales. Black prices mean they were offered for that amount but nobody purchased:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...+6199&_sacat=0

The low-end Singers have a poor reputation, so I wouldn't invest in a used one even if it were half the new price. Number of stitches doesn't mean much if you can't rely on the machine maintaining tension, etc. I would save up and buy a new Brother from Walmart. Also a low-end machine, but probably more reliable than the Singers.

Edit: Here is the 6180 on Amazon with reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Serviced-6180-...dp/B005QB4BYY/

And here is the 6199 on Amazon with reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/6199-Brillianc...dp/B0058O5YWC/

I too would spend my money on a lower end brother. They seem
to have many less problems than the singers. I have 3 lower end mechanical
brothers with no issues.

thank you both so much for your help..........maybe I need to save my dollars like you both said.... it is a shame, Singer used to be such a nice one...........

They don't make the Singer like they use to. I owned a new Singer that I bought in the 80s and worked fine for 10 years until I replaced it with a Bernina.

I personally wouldn't buy any "modern" Singer, but would gladly buy an old Singer. Janome and Brother do have a fairly good reputation on even their low end machines though.