the 98 line is an awesome machine but i would tell them to come down on that price since all of the 98 models have been discontinued.
you can buy the 2010 models, what the 98s were replaced with, for that price.
i got the 98Q, the model up from the one you're looking at, from sew vac direct for $450 when the models got discontinued along with free shipping and i didn't pay sales tax because i don't live in TX.