I have a 301a and a Rocketeer and either would be a good general purpose machine. The 301 has a beautiful straight stitch but only zigzags with an attachment. I've never used it but it used to give my mother fits. Of course, knowing my mom that could have been lack of user education or just plain user error. I haven't used the zigzag on the Rocketeer but it sews like a charm. I just pieced an entire king sized quilt on it.
No machine is going to be problem free or maintenance free. My Bernina Artista 180 rarely has problems but I do get it serviced about once every 18 months or so. I would have no problem buying a used Bernina. They are great machines. Just be aware that whatever used machine you buy could need work. My husband bought a beautiful Featherweight for me from eBay. While it's a beautiful machine in good shape, we still took it to my OSMG (which in this case is Old Sewing Machine Gal who is in her 30's lol) and had her replace the power cord and go over the machine for me.