Welding rig question

First off, let me tell you I have absolutely no welding experience. I am a welding :newb:. I have soldered, but that is like comparing riding a bicycle to riding a motorcycle. When I get my car later this year I have decided that I am going to attempt to do any welding work myself. As someone on here stated previously, "I've got a welding rig and a fire extinguisher! I'm good!" Or something to that effect. Anyway, I have a buddy who was a welding supervisor for seven years, and I have another friend who is a welding instructor at a local college, so I think I can get some good pointers. Here's my question: What type of welding rig should I buy? I'm assuming I'll need a good spot welder to hold the parts in place, and possibly a MIG welder for final work. I think... Are the rigs at Harbor Freight any good? Or is that like buying something from Big Lots? You get what you pay for. What rigs do you guys use? Thanks in advance for the info!