When I started seriously quilting 20 years ago I was encouraged to purchase a Pfaff 955. I loved that machine, it had a built in IDT walking foot which helped when I was piecing and quilting. I started quilting again 4 years ago and got my 955 out and it still worked great.
After a couple more years of quilting I decided it might be time get a new machine. So I went to the Pfaff website http://www.pfaffusa.com/2456.html to see what was new with quilting machines. I also talked to quilters at the local quilt shop to see what features they recommended. Unanimously quilters said to get a machine with 'needle down'. So I went to the local Pfaff dealership to actually see the machines for myself and try them out. I knew what I wanted to do with the machine, and I also knew I did not want a fancy computerized machine. I started out looking at a basic quilting machine, but finally decided on the Quilt Expression 2048.
I still have a lot to learn to use this machine completely. It pieces great and it has a neet quilt stitch that I gets me a lot of complements.
I recently received a Fabric Mover with Stitch Regulator to use for free motion quilting. When I learn to use this I think it will be great. But as Harriet Hargrove says in her blog http://heirloommachinequilting.blogspot.com/ quilting is a skill very different from piecing. So I need to keep practicing, and I will update you as I continue to learn.
