manicmike

I'd go with "just to play with" Miriam. We all know that old machines are better made, lovely to look at, reliable, super cheap to buy, are set up to be able to work without electricity and form a better stitch.
Of course they can do fancy stitches, either built-in (e.g. 319) or by adding stitching attachments to straight stitchers like the 66.
Self sufficiency is something I consider important too, and a modern sewing machine would take this away. I'd have to depend on a shop to service my machine, and in Australia it's $90 - $120 for a service. As a contrast, in the past month I've bought a working Singer 66 head, a treadle cabinet to put it in, a new belt and a buttonholer, all for under $90 ($87.50 to be exact). As a more practical alternative, my motor driven 319K cost $50 in a cabinet and didn't even need a service (gave it one anyway - because I can). The 206x13 needles were $18 for 30 (10 each of sizes 12, 14 and 16), only $68 for ready to go fancy stitch machine.
If my advice were asked for, you can guess what it would be (preaching to the converted here)

miriam

You can easily buy a good machine for $68-$120 - STILL cheaper than that service call on the plastic wonders.

shasta5718

I wouldn't get rid of my old machines for anything. I love the new embroidery ones, but for any heavy sewing, you can't beat the old mechanical ones. Good luck with yours.

CindyA

And this is why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Featherweight.