justflyingin

Did any of you get this machine when it was new? If so, what year and what did you pay? And is it still working well?

I'm looking for a "workhorse" for a friend and there is one for sale here. She needs quiet and totally dependable. This one has come up for sale, but it is old (?) I have no idea how old...that's why I'm asking you all here.

I've tried to google it and all I can find is that it is called a vintage machine, but still fetches a decent price on the used market. I can't find anywhere what year these were 'released'.

Prism99

I don't have one, but found this current listing on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bernina-1031...item27d5215019

Berninas tend to hold a lot of value over the years. If this is a non-computerized model, which I think it is, it is strong and should last a very long time. I have an earlier vintage Bernina that is still a dream to sew on.

If you create an account at http://www.patternreview.com so you can look at older reviews, you should be able to find some reviews such as this one:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/Sewi.../Review/1/4548

Also found this comment (do a ctl/F on Bernina 1030 to find the comment):
http://www.burdastyle.com/discussion...sewing-machine
"The very best sewing machine I know of is a mechanical Bernina. I have the Bernina 1030 I bought almost 20 years ago. I have since purchased a Bernina Artista 200E and have never used it like I have and still use my 1030."

sewbizgirl

This isn't exactly what you asked, but my Bernina 830 was around $1080 back in the seventies when it was new. A small fortune but you got the best machine in the world!

justflyingin

It helps a bit, but I can never tell by the numbers if an 830 is a newer or older machine than a 1030... I'm going to assume because the number is lower, it is an older machine, but I'm not sure.

Prism99

Yes, the vintage 830 is an older machine than the 1030.

Found a little more info:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...6074348AA8G1US

BellaBoo

I bought a Bernina 1260, perfect condition with accessories, one owner for $450. I wouldn't pay much over that for any older Bernina that uses the older style feet.

quilter1

I bought my Bernina 830 Record in 1972 for $329. It was the top of the line then and it was a lot of money for a nursing student working part time in a department store fabric department. I still have that machine 41 years later and it sews beautifully. Guess it was money well spent. Mind you, I spent way more then that for my Aurora 440QE and way-way-way more for my Bernina 750QEE. Gotta love those Berninas!

momto5

I have a Bernina 1008...bought it new but don't remember for how much...but pricey back then. It has been working non-stop for the past 18-20 years, has had one repair to the bobbin casing. Perhaps you could find one of them....in fact, I think they may still sell them.

Jan in VA

I have the 1031 and can't remember for the life of me what I paid for it at the Houston Quilt Festival. But I also have bought three vintage 830s over the past 18 years and paid $400 - $550 for each of them over that period.

The 1031 is virtually identical to the vintage 830 and I adore them both. I have NO desire to replace my 1031 with a more modern "top-of-the-line" machine. If I were trying to find a 1031 to buy today I'd expect to pay about the same as the vintage 830 would command. And I'd be delighted to have it!

Jan in VA

Candace

Current listings on ebay don't help you much to gauge price. That's only what people WANT to get. Shoot, I could want a million dollars for mine, it doesn't mean I'll get it. Look under closed auctions or sold auctions in ebay under the 'advanced' button. There you can see what sold machines went for. Even then, ebay is higher usually than what I'd pay, but you'd at least get an idea.