Whatever Fits Your Pocketbook
I like to advise ladies to buy what fits your pocketbook now, but don't think you have to buy the biggest and fanciest one with all the bells and whistles. I bought 2 inexpensive machines for my granddaughters for Christmas. One of the girls is taking to sewing like a duck to water but the other is learning but won't use it as a hobby (I can tell) but as a necessity to repair things...which is okay, too. I agree with some of the others who said they may not stick with it or even enjoy it at all. Why invest a lot of money when you aren't sure yet. I have all mechanical machines from Featherweights to Janomes and love both brands for the reasons already listed. I rarely have a problem that my husband or I can't fix.