I can't give an opinion on your machine of choice, as I am not familiar with it. However, as skratchie pointed out, the two questions you should ask are: 1: Do you want it and 2. Can you afford it. You say that you are and always have been a frugal person; I suggest that because you have saved money in so many other areas of your life, that you go ahead and get your dream machine. Sometimes we have a tendency to put the wants and needs of others ahead of our own; I believe you are more than worth it and should go ahead and purchase your dream machine. As you stated, you are approaching retirement, this to me means that you should get it while you are still working, as you will be using this machine for a long time. Be kind to yourself, I doubt that you will regret it.