caspharm

I love my Simply Red Bernina ($1000 range) as well as my Eversewn (which were designed by a Bernina designer and sold by a subsidary of Bernina). I bought the top of the line Eversewn (Sparrow 30) and it was around 400.

If you want very simple, but good. I also have a Singer 301A(older one). It is strictly a single stitch metal machine with a good size throat.

vschieve

I still have my first sewing machine, a Pfaff 262. It is an all metal, mechanical machine I bought brand new in 1968, and it is still the workhorse today as it was back then. Yes, I have modern, computerized machines as well, a Pfaff 2170 bought in 2008, and a Viking Epic embroidery machine.

These old mechanical machines come up on Craigslist and Green sheets and also at estate sales. Also eBay. Good luck on finding a good one for if you keep them oiled and don't let them sit idle over long periods, it will last for generations.

quilt1950

I'll second the Viking Emerald. Great stitch, a few extra stitches, needle up/down, speed control, light enough to carry to classes. However a bit small to do much FMQ

ansew

I "won" an Eversewn 25 machine(as if I needed another sewing machine) LOL. With that said, I'm pretty impressed with this little machine and I keep finding new things about it that I really like. For newer computerized, I really like Juki's--I have the FS600. The Eversewn 25 and the Juki HZL-80HP are the same machine, except the Juki has the pressure foot control--but it's also $499 as compared to $329 for the Eversewn. After sewing on the Sparrow 25, I would not hesitate to purchase the Eversewn 30 as it has the thread cutter, pressure foot knob, and more stitches(if that's important to you) for still less money than the Juki HZL-80HP.

JustAbitCrazy

I strongly recommend getting a machine with both top and lower feed dogs. For many years, that meant Pfaff and only Pfaff, but now others have them: Babylock and Janome are two I am aware of. Once I owned a Pfaff with top feed dogs, I never wanted to sew without them, and never did again.