I have this machine and I love it. I bought it in January so I've have it almost a year and made 7 quilts on it, the biggest one was a twin XL. It has never given me any problems, but I clean out the lint every few bobbins and I change the needle often.
Where in Northern California do you live? I live in Santa Clara and bought mine at Eddies Quilting Bee. They give you a whole bunch of stuff when you buy a machine with them including free classes, free machine maintenance, and discounts on almost everything in the store for a few years.