I have a grasshopper (Elna 1), and I love it. It sews a beautiful, straight stitch, and doesn't mind if I try out different kinds of thread. (Metallic, invisible, even glow in the dark & heavy duty denim threads). I don't use it much, because my leg gets tired. You have to push the throttle sideways with your thigh to make it go. After making my first quilt with it, I had one thigh in fine shape...but I walked with a slight limp. I was sore.
I have not tried fmq yet. Maybe I will have to get it out again...
edited to add: I have a round dining table, & can't use the grasshopper on it. It doesn't fit the round edge. The case and machine require a straight edge to sit on. The metal throttle bar plugs into a hole on the front of the machine that has to be able to hang over the edge of the table to work correctly.