It is a good set up for a starter. As said you will have a smaller area to quilt with. I started with this set up and used it to quilt about 20 quilts before moving up to an 18" machine and different frame. That frame will accomodate up to about a 15-16" machine on it if you wanted to move up - as in a Bailey for an example. This is what my cousin did when she bought the frame frome me, and she loves it.
I kept the Grand quilter as I use that machine for free motion quilting my smaller pieces. It is a great machine and will quilt through most anything ( well maybe not a swather canvas!!) but you get the idea. Couldn't pry that machine out of my fingers if you tried.
If you get it, I do still have the stitch regulator for that machine and frame if you're interested. Never did get around to listing it anywhere.
There is a yahoo group for that machine and frame also which is a great help. The 9" Mega quilter is basicaly the same machine also, so info on it aplies to the GQ. Oh, also Finishing Touches has a really nice free motion foot for it too, much better than the one that came with the machine.
If you want any more info let me know.