Used White 8000 advice
 

I am wanting advice on whether to buy a used White 8000 SM off Craigslist for $75 or get a new Janome DC 1050 for $300 from an online dealer. The White has alphanumeric stitches which The Janome doesn't. The White also has all the stitches I'd want but the Janome seems to rank very high in the sewing world. I haven't inquired of the White. It comes in a cabinet that looks25 yrs old but not sure.The ad says "works good" and that's about it. My local dealer says he wouldn't buy a used computerized machine because you don't know you're getting. My budget is $300 and all I have now is a Kenmore I've had for 17 yrs. Any advice?

Well, I found this Youtube video (recent, April of 2013) for the White 8000:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTtojT9j44

To me it looks like an absolutely wonderful machine. I would pay $75 for it. If your budget for a new machine is $300, then you would still have $225 left in reserve for another machine if the White gives out. You never know how long a computerized machine will last; it could be 3 months, it could be 20 years. While you are sewing on the White you could simply save a dollar here and there to bring your SM kitty back up to $300 in case you need to replace the White down the line.

For me, it would be worth the $75 risk. You would definitely need to sit down and actually try the White before purchasing. Bring your own fabrics and thread, and make sure that some of the decorative stitch options you particularly want are working. You could also try offering $50 cash after trying out the machine, if you can bring yourself to do that.

From what I have been told, the Kenmore machines have been made by New Home (now Janome) for many years, so you have already been sewing on a Janome. If you really liked it, I would stay with the brand. IMHO

I own two White sewing machines and a White serger. Both work very well and have given me lots of service. The newer one is the one that I do my quilting on. The older one is heavy -- feels like it made of heavy steel when I carry it. Both make beautiful stitches. The serger is down right now, but only needs maintenance. I've had it since 1984. It's made a lot of garments and several 6-hour quilts. My other machine is Janome and my new serger is Janome. My DSM (Janome MC4000) is almost 20 years old and is still going strong. Beautiful stitch. I don't order off of the internet. ..prefer to buy where I know that I can get good service. But that's just me.