If you ask a Hi-Point owner (such as myself) they'll tell you they love them and they are the best bargain going. I have a C9 pistol and 995 carbine and love them both. Don't expect it to be something it's not (i.e. concealed carry weapon, match shooter, etc...) and you'll be fine.
If you ask the non-owner, you'll either hear "save your money and get a Glock" or "my cousin's brother's boyfriend's granddad had one and it was a piece of crap".
I bought mine as plinkers. I like to shoot, and they shoot well. I'd have no qualms about using it as a home defender if necessary (and yes, I'm smart enough to make sure whatever ammo I used would consistenly and properly function in it).
It's all a matter of personal opinion. Personally, I don't like Glocks, but I'm not going to try to convince anyone else not to. That's just my preference. As a concealed carry weapon I'll take my Taurus PT145 over my brother's Glock 36 any day. Not that it shoots any better, but the feel and features work better for me.
It's like anything else. I love my Dodge. I won't own a Ford. I shop at Home Depot. I hate Lowe's (if they just didn't sponsor Jimmie Johnson they'd be ok). Personal preferences.
As one previous poster wrote, many Hi-Point owners don't frequent or post on most message boards as any time Hi-Points get brought up they just get bashed by the (in my own words) elitist gun snobs who consider it an insult if you mention a Hi-Point in the same sentence as, oh, say a Kimber. With all due respect, phooey on the snobs. They are entitled to their opinion just as I am entitled to mine. I just have more money left to buy ammo