I've got a Makita that I spent 200 on, its a nice machine, but overkill for the hobbyist. Pick up a 4.75" or 5" rotary backing plate, and you can continue to use your PC pads with it. The 6" pads are a little easier to control/learn with than 8.5" pads. I am somewhat experienced with a rotary, and I still use 6" pads for all my finishing/foam pad work (use 7.5" wool pads, and love em). The CE is plenty of machine for what you're going to use it for. Its definetly a good machine to learn, not only is it more powerful than a PC, it is MUCH more enjoyable to work with, once you get over your fear of the machine. As long as you keep it to foam pads, and go orange or lighter cut, and keep the RPMs under 1750, you don't have to worry about burning the paint. I did a beat Toyota pickup today, with a crappy Maaco job, and used a wool pad on it. Came out great. Its not a machine to fear, but rather one to respect. Respect it, learn it, and you will enjoy it
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P.S. I use it on my own car, cause I feel I can burnish the paint better than via Cyclo.