I have an Elna that is close to 20 years old (now made/owned by Janome). It was a "quilters sewing machine" at the time i got it (after the IQF in Houston). I pieced and quilted on that for 5 years prior to getting my HQ sitdown Sweet Sixteen and now just use it for piecing and binding.
If I were to get another machine just for piecing, I'd love a featherweight too.... so it's neat to read the answers and see that others agree! But they are not inexpensive!