A high-end machine with a built-in grinder is an investment in your daily routine that should last you a decade if you treat it well. You want to buy this once, so look for a model with a reputation for repairability rather than just the newest touchscreen features.
Brands usually refresh their lineups in late spring or summer. If you hold out until November, you can often find last year’s top-tier models marked down as stores clear inventory for the holidays. Keep an eye on certified refurbished units from the manufacturer to shave a few hundred dollars off the price.
Remember that the 18-month window is a deadline, not free money; if you have a balance remaining after that period, you will be charged interest on what you still owe.