Just make friends with your mechanic, and you can't go wrong. I've been sewing for over 40 years - the last 20 on a vintage machine my aunt gave me for my high school graduation.
She has gone through 3 machines in the interim, and I am still happily sewing on my vintage machine. Needless to say, she would love to get the old machine back! Other than replacing the electrical wiring on the plug in and an occasional tuneup, the machine still sews a dream - both for piecing, quilting, and personal sewing.
Enjoy the machine and don't take any criticism to heart! You have a LOT of company in using your older machine.