I have had my Artistic 18 quilter of a year and have not had any issues. Purchasing a longarm is a personal choice. I do not plan on quilting as a business, so the Artistic 18 is all I need. Although I am checking into the robotic Quilt Motion for my machine. I do not have free motion talent, I took a robotics class from Tin Lizzy in April on their robotic system and loved it. So I am thinking that is my way to go. I am to go look at a system soon and will make up my mind for sure. Good luck with which ever machine you get they all have a learning curve and my learning cure has been user error. I have to step back and think about the issue and how to correct it. I have used cotton thread top and bottom and am now using a prewound bobbin and polyester thread and the tension needed very little adjusting. I have been keeping the machine oiled and clean, paying attention to the bobbin area. Cotton thread was very linty. Good luck.