I've bought a new machine a couple times. My first machine was the cheapest Singer. We didn't have a machine and I bought it instead of the toy machine my young dau wanted for xmas. We used it a few years, but it was often aggravating with tension issues. When I got interested in quilting, but wasn't sure I'd get into it enough to justify a very expensive machine, I bought a Kenmore Elite (computerized maybe made by Janome?). It was a joy after sewing on the Singer and it had many more features with needle down being the best. I still use it at my summer place and it's been good for 17 or 18 years. Honestly, it was the peer pressure (yep, sad to say) that influenced me to buy a Bernina. I went to classes and Bernina Club at my LQS (Bernina dealer) and heard repeatedly about the superiority of Bernina. I bought one of their Patchwork edition, a lower end computerized ones when they said the Bernina models coming out next would have more narrow throat spaces. While it is a great machine and I've had it about 12 years, it isn't that superior to my Kenmore and the Kenmore has more stitches. I also like being able to see how much thread is left in the plastic bobbin on the Kenmore, though Bernina's metal bobbin is supposedly superior. If I'd been smarter, I would have waited to buy another machine until I truly outgrew my Kenmore. I'd advise waiting for you unless there are features you really need now or your machine messes up a lot. At this point, I'd like one with a stitch regulator or dual feed, auto scissors and a wider throat, but it feels too self indulgent to buy another when I have two that work great. : )