Wow, there's a lot more to consider than I realized! I don't sew very much at all. Our machine is a Singer Merritt 4525. It was given to me years ago. According to the repairman, it has plastic not metal parts. It's really hard to set the tension, at least that's what I'm being told. It skips stitches. The last time I took it in for cleaning and repair, I was told it really wasn't worth the repair cost anymore. I can't remember what the repairman suggested at the time. Now that my daughter is serious about making costumes, I guess I need to replace it. She will be taking a costume design class in the fall where she'll need to bring her machine. So portability is important. Cost is a big deal for me, but I don't want to buy something that doesn't work well or won't last. If I budget $300, can I get a decent machine and a rolling case? I want to buy it soonish, but I have to save the money first.
ETA: Can anyone point me to a checklist of stuff to consider when evaluating machines? I'm seriously confused! It sounds as if there are a lot of good sewing machines on the market, vintage and new.