I sew quite a bit and I have three machines. I prefer the one that has a scissor button over them all....just because I like that feature. I got my machine used(it was my mom's, I paid what she was going to get for trade in which was around $500). I have two computerized machines and a featherweight. The featherweight just sits on a shelf most of the time. I should be using it. They are work horses and as long as you remember to oil it, I haven't heard of people having issues at all with them. They do sew wonderfully. If I were you, I would take her somewhere where she would be able to make some decisions on what she were to really want out of a machine. All of us here have different opinions and price options. It's not going to be accurate for us to help you make a decision for your wife without knowing her or what she is going to be making.