i love my MC11000!!! :P
YES. it's definitely a very expensive machine. however, i shopped around for more than a year and kept coming back to the 11000. it is the least expensive i found among machines that have the features this machine has. there are only 2 or 3 that offer any feature the 11000 doesn't, and they are all thousands more.
i have used the quilting embroidery. it takes practice, so i have a looong way to go before i can take full advantage of it. it has saved me tons of time, though. just a hint ... it works best on the lowest loft batting. working with a batting the weight of warm & natural can be a bit of a struggle.
i don't know what they're charging for it this year, but Moyes Sewing Center, the dealer in Savannah, GA had a great price on it last year. i don't know whether he'll ship or requires you to come in person.