I live near Columbus, Ohio and one of our quilt shops which also sells quilting machines offers classes and you can rent time on their machines..$15 /hour or 6 hours for $75. Of course they insist you take a class on the use of the machine first. I don't know where you're at or how close you are to someplace that might offer this type of service, but it seems like a good way to try before you buy (invest!!), both the machine and your determination!!
Mary