AliKat

I prefer the HQ Sweet 16 sit down machine. I now have the HQ Avante, a LA machine. HQ is wonderful with helping out if you have any problems. Just a call away. I prefer calling them as they can 'translate' into my personal language. They will really listen, paraphrase, and repeat for clarity. They are well versed in working with a variety of people.
Yes, my local dealer is good. But it takes them longer to translate to 'alice'.

Would also suggest you look at Pinterest or online to get a 'cradle.' The cradle will hold your quilt up so there isn't a weight drag while quilting. The person who I knew who used to make them is well retired and I couldn't reach him so I could refer anyone to him. The cradle is relatively easy to make with PVC pipe and bungee cords.

petpainter

I have the Platinum 16 which is Vikings version of the Sweet 16- I love it! I didn't want the stitch regulator- it looks more trouble than its worth and I wanted to learn how to get the stitches right with my timing. My dealer is close and wonderful when I messed up my bobbin case at Christmas time- they came to my house. I can't stand to quilt for medical reasons and just love the throat space. I also had my significant other make a set of the quilting suspenders
(Jenoop system) and they work great for a large quilt.

GrammieN

I wanted to thank everyone again for responding to my thread. I went to the Babylock dealer, which is local. I tried out the Tiara III and I liked it. I love the throat space and it doesn't seem to be a complicated machine to learn to sew on and to maintain. It appears to be well constructed. I like that you can customize your speed, so I didn't purchase the stitch regulator. It has the programmable needle positioning needle up/down. It uses the large size capacity M class bobbin, a separate bobbin winder and low bobbin estimator warns you when bobbin is getting low. I think the dealer offered me a fair price. I also purchased the extra extension table. The machine hasn't arrived yet, but will probably be here tomorrow.

I have a lot of practicing to do. I had given up free-motion quilting because I was so tired of battling with trying to squeeze the quilt into such a small throat on my machine. It just wasn't any fun. I'm excited again about quilting.

Sewnoma

Very exciting! Congrats on your new "toy".

liking quilting

Congratulations! Yes, you will now be able to quilt as much in the middle as the outsides of the quilt! With a domestic, I thought I was doing pretty good, but with a midarm, it's no comparison. I use a Sweet 16 and love it.