I have one and have never had any trouble with it. I just use my other machines more. It was nice to take to classes.

You could go to a local shop that sell the machine and maybe get a higher end used Brother or another machine for your 200.
I look on CL everyday just to see what they have .
there is alway machine on there for under 200 depending on the area your in and what your looking for.

WOW! :P Thanks for all the info. I will definately keep looking. I thought more stitches would be better but I guess that's not the case. It's all so confusing :?

I have 2 of these machines, and my daughter and BBF have one each. They are quite fine for piecing and general sewing. I have even quilted with them, but not on a big quilt. Wouldn't want to try that.

I have a bunch of diffrent sewing machines, BF and I started collecting vintage ones, and really, my favorite one to use is a Necci I got for $3.00 at a garage sale. Its heavy duty, real metal, PRETTY as can be! I also hace a Brother Computerized machine, I love it,but to me, its confusing. I guess I am not a computer person, and perfer the easy way, lol, but it does sew nice! I would just look around, even used, and the used prices are pretty good!

I have the Brother cs6000i and I love it! However, I only use it for piecing quilts, I have never done the actual quilting with it. It is lightweight and great from taking to classes. It comes with all sorts of extra feet but I did buy a couple of extras speciffically for piecing.

Almost forgot.... I've also used it to make totebags... lots of totebags.

I have 2 friends who have that machine. It is a great little machine for piecing, I don't think it is big enough for the actual quilting. It makes a good stitch and a decent buttonhole and it only weighs 11 lbs. So it is great to take to classes.