buying a long arm is an investment- it is also like buying a car---you should do alot of research and travel- go to as many dealers as possible and try out as many as possible before making the jump. i love my machine but know a lady that had the same one - hated it and after 4 years of nothing but frustration she gave up and sold it...
you do not want to put out ten thousand + dollars to hate what you have and have nothing but frustration- do the research and test-drive until you find the machine you like in your price range- it is not a decision to be made based on someone else's likes. just like my subaru may not be the car for you...my hq-16 may not be the machine for you either.
it is an investment- and a big one- so don't make it lightly