I have just purchased my dream machine.
Before that I had been using a cheap singer - the singer talent. I have quilted 3 large quilts on the singer talent with very few problems. I believe the largest I did was around 80 inches each way, so I don't think that a smaller machine should be too much of a problem!
My first (ever) quilt I used a walking foot and just stitched in the ditch. I used the "roll it up" method for this quilt and wouldn't recommend that method! It's very cumbersome and you spend all your time balancing it on various body parts!
My second and third machine quilted quilts (after the first one I hand quilted a few because I got scared off!) I did free motion quilting and absolutely loved it! It's a scary thing to just make yourself do it, but it's so worth it! The first one I just did a large stipple,and to be honest it's not the prettiest of quilting, but it got me over my fears! The second one was my tardis quilt and I successfully did a wood grain effect quilting and stippling on the background. This one looked much better, and it amazed me that I could do it on such a cheapy machine!
I used the "smoosh it" method on the fmq and it worked great, no problems with my little throat space!
I would say have a go with your current machine(even if it's just a big practice sandwich rather than your lovely quilt top!), as it will also help you in figuring out exactly what features you are looking for in your dream machine!
Good luck with whatever you choose :-)