Yeah ive heard of some issues with the 10 & 14" vermeers and in that range i'd choose a Bandit 9 or 12".
But the Vermeer 18" is a ripper i reckon. That said, my little bandit 6" was a grouse bit o gear, done heaps of work for me, flogged it for 5 years and no real dramas other than the electric ignition unit.
Here she is:
