bump Sorry, you've probably decided by now...

Why pay for sheet metal and cheap burners when you can learn, compare, and get a quality grill in the same price range? For Gas Grills 101 check out "How to Choose", "Major Differences", and "What to Look for" at www.picksinc.com/GasGrills/home.htm For Gas Grills 201 check out the "GrillTalk Message Board" at www.picksinc.com/Grilltalk.htm Don't spend $500 or $1000 for a grill that is poorly constructed, made of sheet metal, and has cheap burners!

Care, I would find another Weber dealer. Your sales person sounds like a real a-hole... I wouldn't trust him with a quarter. I bought a Genesis 3000 when they first came out back in the 80s. I'm on my second one now, (a Genesis 1000; I didn't use the side burner enough to justify it) and it is about 7-8 years old. Still cooks great. I've never had a corrosion problem with the porcelain external parts rusting... the cover, the frame, the bottom tray. I did eventually burn through the flavorizer bars and the cooking grates on both grills; probably due to my lack of keeping them clean as anything. I've replaced both the grills and bars in my current 1000 with stainless. I've also replaced the propane hose with one that has the newer quick-connect fitting. The only other corrosion issue I've had is with the two rails that the bottom tray slides in and out on. I had to replace those. Weber sent me new ones at no charge. It looks to me as if the only significant difference between the Silver and Gold is the stainless lid, flavorizer bars and grates. Since you can get the grates and bars, I'd suggest picking based on looks... pay for the SS cover if you really like it. The Summit models have a double wall lid, which might stay cooler to the touch on the outside. But that's a lot to pay for something that doesn't really cook any better. Here's a link to compare the features: Here is a link that might be useful: There is a Compare Grills menu item under the

I'd say half price at best. How much would you pony-up for a four year old Virco (if they would have been on the market that long)? Maybe a Virco isn't a good example. Since it's all stainless it should technically clean-up as good as new if you wanted to put the elbow grease into it. A Weber will show more wear. But the point is that grills probably don't hold their value too well. For reference, I sold my 3-burner Weber with upgraded SS flavorizer bars, cover and rotisserie and without a tank for $200. It was about six years old and it looked used. I paid $449 for the grill, $40 or $50 for the SS flavorizer bars (don't remember which) and I think the rotiss is 60 bucks or so. That's my suggestion but I could be way off base. -Terry