Some considerations--how old are you and how much will you use the long-arm? Can you justify paying that much for a "hobby"? How many quilts could you hire someone else to quilt for that amount of money? Of course, there is the satisfaction of completing a project of your own but just saying. Perhaps there is a local shop that rents the use of their long-arm without you purchasing and maintaining the set-up plus giving it permanent space in your home.