I've chosen the Kohler Archer soaking tub. 60 x 32. Reasonably priced (especially on line) and nice looking. There's also the Kohler Devonshire in the same size and price range. The Archer is more rectangular and an inch deeper due to a neat slotted overflow. The Devonshire has an oval basin and is a little more classical looking. I'm paying about $420 shipped for my tub. If you can find a local retailer who doesn't need to special order it, you might be able to pay even less.

We had an American Standard Americast tub (regular 60 x 30 shallow type, the Princeton) in our last house and I liked the solid feel of it, but if you poke around here and on other forums you'll find a lot of people who really hate the Americast product. We only lived with ours for a year and it was fine but I have heard they can chip badly... That said, if there'd been one a soaking tub in the size/price range I needed now I would consider it, but I didn't find any.

We have two Toto 1525's on order. We wanted cast iron, and the pricing wasn't too bad.

I purchased the Kohler Bancroft 5 ft soaking tub. At the time I bought it, I believe it was 375.00 including shipping. I am very happy with it. It's plenty deep, and looks great in my bathroom.

Kohler Hourglass here. Nice shape, don't remember the price. Similar to the Bancroft if I remember correctly.

Kohler Devonshire here, was going with the Archer until I sat in it. Not comfortable for me or DD. Devonshire's arm rests are better for us. I do love the deeper water depth of the Archer, though. (maybe a liability with kids?)

Thanks, all. I will look into them!

Anybody know if there's an issue installing a bypass door on an Archer tub?

We are having a 60 x 32 inch Toto 1525 delivered tomorrow. We sat in the Kohler Mendoto as well as a bunch of acrylic and fiberglass tubs. It came down to the Mendoto or Toto; went with the Toto since the toilet is from them and we like the quality. Both are nice though. We preferred the cast iron over the other options available.

Advertguy2 (or anyone else with the Kohler Hourglass tub), which Hourglass tub do you have - the 30 inch wide or the 32 inch wide? Does it have a sloped back? I sat in the Devonshire and the Archer today. Liked the modern look of the Archer, but the armrests were too high for me. The Devonshire had lower armrests, but the back is not sloped enough for me to reline comfortably (it's slightly sloped, but not much). So now I am considering the Hourglass, but haven't been able to see it in person anywhere. I will be very grateful for this information!

Do you want acrylic or cast iron? The Kohler tubs mentioned above are really nice. If you want cast iron, the Kohler Memoirs is great, beautiful, classic and comfortable to soak in. My friend has one and loves it. It is more expensive. They are all pretty nice and deep. I'm in the exact same boat as you right now. Comparing and pricing different brands and models. Cast iron keeps the water warmer longer, but you can always insulate around the acrylic.