This is just advice from someone who works and deals in sewing machines.
The newer Singer Featherweights surprisingly have a 1 amp motot a vintage has .4 amps. Because the old motors are made better they can handle often more then a new larger amp motor. A vintage featherweight has a small bed between the needle and right pillar and the tension knob is directly in your line of sight. Check with your repair shop on the newer versions before buying and ask them about what they see most. Kenmore also made a version of a feather weight- it is a compact green model with a fold out end, straight and zigzag and blind hem- have not worked on it but have on both the old and new singers. Vintage featherweights have their appeal but the question is is cute your need or versital work space to manuver in. If your just looking for something lightwieght, you can find a inexpensive machine like at Target, almart etc. They will last for a while as long as you don't run them heavy. Almost all new machines are made so cheaply the cost in repair is more then the original machine or the parts can't be gotten.