Not to discourage you from buying a new machine, but are you sure your FrancisFrancis is really dead? Sometimes an old machine can be revived with some basic repair work, such as cleaning, descaling or replacing inexpensive parts. It's possible that your machine can be brought back from the dead. If you describe what the problem is, someone here can probably diagnose the problem and suggest a possible fix.

On the other hand, sometimes machines will be broken beyond all repair - or at least to the point where it's not worth the money and trouble to fix them. I've seen pics of machines where the boiler completely blew apart. Not pretty.

Of course, if you don't want to deal with trying to repair the machine and just want to buy a new one, then disregard what I just said and go shopping.

Cut your teeth on a budget Gaggia then save that extra money for the grinder or for your next upgrade. Silvia is too middle-of-the-road in my opinion. Fine machine but at that price (its still a non-e61 dual use single boiler machine)? It is personal preference however.

I had a Gaggia Coffee Deluxe and it worked well. The Quickmill Anita is far superior (and much much more expensive). Best of luck.