Should I keep the 201?
 

201s are my favorite. I can't pass one up. I have 4. Keep it. Give her the Necchi :-). Unless you have more than one. I gave my DD and GD a 201.

201 is one of the best sewing machines singer have built. If it's me I will keep the 201. To me there's no special feature of necchi or it is not special enough to keep. Just me.

What model Necchi? 201's are not rare. If you want one, wait for a nicer example to come along. Pass on the not so nice one to the friend.

I agree that 201's are not all that rare where Necchi's are -at least in my area. Of course it would also matter which model Necchi is was for me. I am still watching for a Supernova! I would probably let her have the 201 and watch for another.

If they both are good sewing machines, give her the one that will be the least trouble to a new sewing beginner. In other words, the easier to thread, and the easier to maintain. Encourage a budding sewist to enjoy her new craft, and not be frustrated by a cranky machine.

What kind of sewing does her friend want to do? Zigzag machines are probably better for clothing due to being better suited for sewing knits and being able to sew a zigzag stitch on seam allowances to prevent fraying while the 201 would most likely be the better quilting machine. I love straight stitch machines for piecing.
Rodney

I will have to go look at Necchi now. It's not in a cabinet as I didn't have to room for one LOL I might just have to drag it out of hiding and let her decide as the 201 has a cabinet and I do not know if the Necchi will fit. It's so hard letting go, but she will be learning to quilt with the new to her machine. :)
Thank You all who replied.

It would probably be better to give the newer sewer the machine that had the fewest things to go wrong and easiest to learn how to operate.

Nothing more frustrating to a beginner than to have things not work properly and not a clue as to how to fix them.
(Which is where I am at with computers!)

Do either of them have a manual or instruction book(let)?

I am not sure what models but have read that some of the Necchi sewing machines will not fit on Singer lollipop hinges so double check that too!