Just joined. Already owned an old Janome and a modern Bernina, but during lockdown developed an interest in older mechanical machines that by and large are easy to work on, and got a sort of "bug" for fixing them for something to do.

Now have far more machines than any sensible person would own...and another one about to arrive.

I would now never recommend anyone to buy a modern computerized machine unless they really needed all the stitch options (unlikely) and "creature comforts" such as thread cutting, needle up/down, foot hover, etc. etc..

May be a bit influenced by the fact that my (expensive) Bernina B480 is back at the dealership for the second time with a problem  . Also though, having delved into older machines before electronics took over, many of them - not all as cost cutting started in the mechanical era - are made to a standard that you will not find today outside of fully industrial machines.