First machine I ever used was my mother's Featherweight...waiting to inherit it. The first machine I owned (a gift from DH) was a White "Jeans" 2020. Absolutely hated it. Tension problems constantly. I used it for about 3 years and then I upgraded to a Janome Limited Edition 344 (it was actually purchased as a gift for a friend and I wouldn't let it go!) and absolutely love it. It is a good basic machine - no frills. I also own a Janome Heart which I've never even taken out of the box! (Bought from a friend who needed some quick cash). I am not a computer person and I am scared to death of the Heart which is computerized! Call me chicken.

You actually need to find a new dealer. He is telling you these things because he wants to sell you a new machine! He is a salesman, after all.

My first machine was free, left on the street. Don't judge a poor student! The manual had a copyright of 1954, not sure of the machine's age. It finally died for good and was replaced in about 2002.

Judge? I was thinking "Lucky Girl!"
I'm into vintage machines. My idea of an upgrade is another old machine I don't already have.
Rodney

Don't let them talk you into a new machine if your happy with what you have. That is how they make money and just like cars, they think you should upgrade. We drive a 1997 Nissan and have no plans to trade in a car that is garage kept with 85 thousand miles on it.

The first machine I bought for myself was a used Singer 717 school machine. It was a great machine, I used it for about 6 years and then traded it in for new Singer 6200 series machine in 1986, big mistake. I had nothing but problems with that machine, sewing wasn't fun any more! When it finally broke for good, I bought a brand new Bernina 1031 in 1992; I still use it quite a bit. I bought a Bernina 930 in 1998 from a friend, wow love that machine, it is another great machine; nearly 30 years old now.
I have several machines, most of them are older than I am and still sew beautifully. I do most of my sewing with a treadle. The newest machine I have is a Viking Sapphire 875, bought new in 2009. I worked for Husqvarna Viking for about 4 years. I don't plan on buying any more plastic machines. I just love sewing with antique machines, treadles and other elderly machines. My favorites are a 1917 White Rotary treadle,1914 Singer 115,1910 Singer 66-1 red eye,1936 Singer 201K and Pfaff 60 treadles.
Sharon in Texas

lol.. That is too funny Dee. I agree too.

Upgrade....Update....what are these words????? (Vintage lover, can't you tell :)).

I buy machines only if there's a new feature I need. I prefer to have older models for back ups.

Like never. I am not interested in upgrading. I keep what I have! I love what I have. No upgrading here.

Interesting question that made me compare how often I have upgraded a sewing machine versus a computer. In 1985, had upgraded one sewing machine - a Neechi from a hand me down singer that my grandmother bought me in 1972 when I was 16. In 1995, gave both away and purchased a Janome 8000 with 2 embroidery cards ( machine was used and only had 200 hours on it)from a dealer. Then in 2012 and after moving cross country could not find the Janome so ended up buying a Viking Emerald 118 at a time when I started to learn quilting. In 2013 purchased a janome horizon 12000, which I absolutely love for embroidering. I love the viking for piece work and so I am satisfied with using both machines for now. I eventually found the janome 8000 and after having it cleaned and a part replaced it too still works but not at the level of either machine. So all in all, I have upgraded 3 times with sewing machines. Funny in a way, I have upgraded 10 times in computers. Makes me think that computers become more obsolete than sewing machines or maybe sewing machines just last longer.