So sorry, Antss, for misspelling your name! I didn't want to post right away and take this off the top, but it would've been rude to ignore my mistake...That's what I get for being on here too late! Thanks.

The Vikings are OK ovens in my opinion. No real flaws, solid build and they have some nice looking models, and one of the few options if you want a colored oven. That said I'm not high on them because they are backed up by Viking and they are not feature or technology laden enough to justify their price. In short there are better values out their at reg. prices. If you are getting a cut rate price go for it.

Thanks so much. Definitely not a cut rate price, and I have no need for color. I was just excited yesterday, after seeing it, but now a little reality and reason has crept back in!

Bosch really seems like the best-featured oven for a price I can reasonably do...But I'm not sure how much weight to give the service issue. Obviously, it's worked against me in my situation with F&P...Since they consider us 'rural' and don't seem to want to deal with us anymore, or, maybe more precisely, seem to have a heck of a time finding people to do the service.

My F&P oven baked superbly, just wasn't well constructed. We bake and otherwise use our oven a LOT, and for large batches/amounts of food for our large family. I want an oven that bakes well, won't have the porcelain bubble out, and that will be serviced if necessary...Also, that isn't $4000 or $5000, but more like $2000-$3000...Is this possible? Any suggestions? :-)

Monogram

Bosch service is about on par w/ Viking in my book. They are priced a lot lower though. Used to be a really good bang for the buck but I haven't looked at prices recently.

Electrolux's is nice looking & priced very aggressively, though I have no real world experience with it.

The Bosch is approx $1000 less than the Monogram with more features. Not ones I'd necessarily miss, but the price tag is nicer. That'd be good, I guess, if the build quality is there, so I don't need their service! OH, where IS that darn crystal ball?
Thanks again, Antss.

rhome410 - I certainly don't consider myself an "expert" but FWIW you might want to consider looking at Miele ovens. I've had mine for several months so I can't comment on longevity, but so far I've had a positive experience with the oven. I use it with and without convection daily for baking or for our evening meal. The only minor complaint I have about it is the volume of the timer is too quiet - and, like I said, that's minor.

We paid $1100 less than the regular price because it was the 2008 model and we bought it the end of 2008. If it had not been marked down, I probably would have passed it by simply because of the price. However, now that I have it, I have already formed DH that in the future when we need to replace it (or need to replace the 2nd oven - KA - which will probably last forever because I'm always using the Miele), he should plan on paying for another Miele. HTH

Miele oven gets many positive comments. Are you looking for double or single? A 30 in single oven cost $2,999.

I need a double, so that would be $5400... I know it sounds crazy to complain about price after I was asking about the Viking, but really, both are out of my league. The Viking intrigued me because of the infrared broiler and the wider cavity. Miele, when we were choosing appliances for our house, was my 'if price was no object' choice, but that's not our situation. My sister has Miele, and loves it except for thinking it's a little small inside. She bakes wedding cakes and needs to fit in larger pans and/or multiple pans on one rack. I don't do wedding cakes, but do bake multiple loaves of bread, etc., so felt maybe a wider cavity might warrant a 2nd consideration.

Anyway, thanks for the input. If I could find a Miele display model or, otherwise, for a reduced price, I'd be happy to have one!