I had the 98Q as my first "real" quilting machine. Absolutely loved it. When DIL wanted to learn, I gave it to her (she loves it too!) and I replaced it with the 2010Q. Still in love! My sisters come to sew with me and take turns, it's their favorite too. What I like best- the auto thread cutter or maybe the fact that it really adjusts to any weight of fabric or the ease of cleaning and oiling. I stick to the 8 hours recommended, the machine just purrs. I swear it is an extension of me- I don't like alterations and it didn't like the 2 Prom gowns I did last year.
But give it a quilt and it's very happy, just like me.