I have to say I've been thinking the same thing, "Can I really afford a LA, or should I save the money for a car?"
I was VERY encouraged when I watched "Stitched" the film, last week, that the competitive quilters they followed who were getting their work ready for the Houston show we NOT using long arms! A very pleasant surprise to me. I know that many really good quilters use long arms, but it gives me hope that I can do the kind of quilting I want, and continue to improve my skills without one.