The Achille is no longer produced, they had issues but if you got a good one, they were nice machines. If you find one it is new old stock. I think they have been out of production for around 2 years now.

Cremina is a nice machine, I have used more than a couple of them. They pull some very good shots and are built like tanks. For that price, I would want a pristine ready to go machine. If it needs work then personally I would pass. As mentioned earlier, parts for old machines could be difficult to get.

my only advice would be to practice patience

I know that I have an impetuous personality and was hasty when I purchased my lever machine

it has turned out great, but a little research can save you a lot of money

I certainly don't regret my purchase but would not have bought so quickly in retrospect

good luck!

In the interest of keeping the market reasonable, I'd agree with the opinion expressed by several others here and encourage patience. It's not that the Cremina isn't a worthy machine - in my opinion, it's fantastic. That said, anything above $900 USD had better be in pristine condition and include a portafilter, single & double basket in GREAT condition.

$0.02,
-s.

Personally, I have single baskets but have never bothered to use them.The lever machines generally take a smaller portafilter anyhow. I use Mcal double baskets for that reason in my Creminas.

I think you can get just about everything you need to keep one of the older Creminas running but a switch. Exact replacements switches are not available for pre - 82 models, IIRC.

It was a little harder to learn how to set the grind for my cremina vs the Vivaldi S1 V2.

However, I prefer shots from either my 87 model Cremina or 2003 Cremina.

The later model Cremina has a larger tank, and group head, handles more shots easily, and group head won't overheat.

Earlier model Cremina will pull some great shots - but you're really looking at about 4 doubles - and depending on how long you let it sit between shots, might overheat a bit on third or fourth shot. Not a problem, just hold a damp towel on the group head for a bit.

IMO, the lever machines are worth the extra effort.

Don't know about where you are, but the price on used machines in the US tend to drop a bit in Jan/Feb, so you might do better to wait.

I've been coming up the learning curve quickly (last November I "upgraded" from a Krups steam machine and blade grinder to a Saeco Magic Cappuccino Plus before quickly moving on to decent equipment) and have recently been getting very comfortable using my lever machine (La Pavoni Europiccola). It's easy to get intimidated looking at the write-ups of people having problems with temperature control, etc. But I think the manual shift/automatic analogy is a good one. Having started driving automatic I went to manual some years ago and it only took a week to get comfortable. Like many have written here, the key is a really good grinder. You could be very frustrated with a sub-par grinder, because that has a lot to do with controlling the rate of the extraction and the resistance you feel when pulling a shot. If you're patient, if you love great coffee and are willing to waste a lot of it at first while experimenting, and if you're fortunate enough to know someone with some skills who can coach you in person, you'll be making drinkable shots pretty quickly. Not all of those favorable elements are necessary to get the result. I still like my pump machines and find each requires different prep and feel. Kind of fun to get multi-dexterous!

Gary
LMWDP #308

i passed on that Cremina. wasn't in great shape. i have read that the gaggia achille has leaking problems so I am going to do some more research and keep on the lookout for a good used cremina.

thanks for all the input!