Culinarians are priced way outside your budget. BlueStar RCS is going to be beyond your budget unless the maker, Prizer Painter, runs another round of promotional pricing like it did last spring. The enforced retail price of 30" RCS models is usually around $3500, but last spring's promotional pricing had them right at $3k, the top end of your budget. (That was without the mandatory backsplash/vent and dleivery.) Costco.ca -- the online Costco site for Candians -- does offer a 30" Bluestar RCS for around $2400 plus Candian taxes but you don't save much, if any money, by having it freight forwarded to you in the US. I have no idea if Prizer-Painter (the manufacturer) will be doing anything similar this year, but you could ask around at dealers to see if anybody has heard anything. The NXR ranges at Costco.com (i.e. online only) are currently running at $2k for the 30" model and $3k for the 36" model, both prices with free shipping to your curb. So, both are within your budget. If you search here at GW, you will find most postings are about the 30" models. Most of the posters here have been pleased. But put that in some perspective. If your max budget is $2k (as mine was), an NXR can be very good bang-for the buck provided you are interested in a very basic, industrial looking "pro-style" type of range. It is kind of a niche product. If you are in the niche, it will appeal to you. If you are not, you won't like it. Buying an NXR is bit like buying a basic, rugged four-wheel drive vehicle with a manual transmission and manual locking hubs from the likes Huyndai or Kia. Very serviceable for those who want that kind of thing but it will not appeal to those seeking Mercedes or other high-end equipment nor appeal those who want conveniences like automatic transmissions, personal electronics, and such nor to those looking for high-mpg hybrid vehicles.. Note that some BlueStar and NXR owners have reported problems with warranty service, especially with rectifying shipping damage, and the time it takes in some instances to get things fixed (and sometimes it doesn't get fixed or replaced) That's a risk you have to take into account when buying from any brand with a small market share. It does not happen to everybody but it happens often enought that you have to consider it a factor. While numbers of otherwise reputable on-line dealers carry NXR ranges, most of them do not have Costco's full-refund satisfaction guarantee (bring it back if you just don't like it, never mind shipping defects or warranty issues.) So far, most of the reported problems have been shipping damage issues or "infant mortality" (failures right out of the box) where the Costco guaranty is likely to be most helpful. Some folks here have posted about some of the Italian ranges, like the Bertazzonis, which are mostly available from dealers with large on-line presences. These are counter-depth units, so they have 5 burners topside and ovens that are pretty shallow and small by North American standards. IIRC, they run about $2500. If interested, you'd best do a search here on them as reviews have been mixed. Again, these are stoves that will appeal to some folks and not others. For sleek looks, a better choice might be the Dacor 30" gas range which often runs as low as $2800 (though the post-president's sale prices now seem over $3k).. Like the NXR, it has some pros and cons, but might be good value for the money if you like a sleeker look with a "pro-style" burner layout. Bmorepanic bought one before Christmas and has a useful and detailed on-going review. Bmorepanic also tried out the NXR but received a one with shipping damage whose eventual replacement was a similarly defective-out-of-the-box (seemingly recycled) unit. It was the fear of that kind of problem that led me me buy my NXR from Costco rather than one of the other dealers. While most people don't have those kinds of problem with new appliances, if you do run into that kind of issue, it can really put you off a brand. I'm guessing that something similar happened to you with GE, otherwise I might suggest you look at the GE Cafe ranges. This post was edited by JWVideo on Sat, Feb 22, 14 at 12:09

Very late to the party on this one, but... I have a kitchen full of Miele products (induction stove, oven, steam oven and dishwasher)...all great except the induction stove (KM5773). Since installation we have had the issue of the stove shutting off during operation. At first it happened only occasionally (every month or so) and was of course inconvenient when cooking dinner. However, the frequency of this issue has increased dramatically; happening every few days a few months back and now happening every. "Resetting the touch controls" as outlined on page 18 of the User Guide usually worked (~70%) with a trip to the basement to flip the breaker usually working the rest of the time, so this was more of a nuisance than anything. And my general thoughts at the time were that it's embarrassing for Miele to have designed such a high end stove top that costs $3000 be prone to a ridiculous DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW. However, over the past several months we have had instances in which we could not even reset the stove...ruining meals, plans, experiences, etc. The capper was when my wife hired some chefs to come and cook for eight of us for a birthday celebration. A night half ruined when only some of the dishes were already finished. I'm appalled by the reliability of this unit. From the posts online, I'm of the mind that this is NOT isolated to just me and that Miele should consider a product recall...or at least a solution. I'm at wit's end with more ruinous experiences when I should be enjoying the not inexpensive equipment. Note -- Miele has a website with very positive reviews of their products...all suspiciously submitted on either September 5th or 6th of 2012. I've submitted the above review twice to no avail. You've been warned...caveat emptor

Have a 2013 Ford Escape, Eco Boost (love it), actually love the entire vehicle. Formerly purchased a first year of the Ford Explorer model (was pregnant with DD), lived rurally and have always had labradors. Was a great SUV for loading lots of kids, dogs, luggage, etc. Good for running around town, long drives, or for vacation destinations that didn't require air travel. For OBX & other similar beach locations, 4WD is great since you can take your vehicle onto the beach. Taking small children to the beach takes alot of effort, along with many cumbersome necessities that are easier driven to the beach, than hauled over large dunes wilst walking with the little ones. I do not have the 4WD on my new Escape. Don't currently have the need for off road driving, although I considered continuing with the 4WD option for driving in the snow. Depends on your lifestyle. I've had 2 Explorers, then went with the "mini van". HATED every minute of driving that, and returned to the Escape, purchased the hybrid model which I loved, and is currently driven by my college-aged DD. When DD went off to college, I purchased the Ford Edge, Loved it, but DH hated it and never drove it because there were alot of blind spots. I adjusted to the blind spots, but not DH. It had a big (by today's standards) engine, but I liked the pick-up. I don't like 4 cylinder (the smallest?) engine vehicles since I just feel like they take too long to get from 0-60 mph. FF to January, 2013, and I am back to an Escape. Looked around from October 2012 until January, and nothing else really thrilled me among my options. So, once again I am driving the Ford Escape. I would suggest purchasing the Eco Boost if your budge allows. An absolute pleasure to drive. Haven't calculated the mileage, but I believe it is on par with the Honda CRV (DH vehicle). Seems that all of the new model vehicles offer the computer screen which I thought would be hard for me to get used to, but in reality, it took all of a week to have it down pat. I opted for leather interior (dogs) and remote start (love getting into a warm car when it's cold outside). The model is a bit smaller than the other Escapes I've owned. Less cargo space, etc., but from what I looked at over a few months before deciding on the Escape, the cargo area isn't any smaller than the back of the CRV or other manufacturers' comps. I am completely satisfied. Until I buy my BMW 7 series, I will continue to be a loyal Ford customer, lol. Happy shopping!

OK I spent about 6 hours or so researching the "Latest" info (reviews, problems etc) on these ovens, Let's start out with Bosch. Bosch. Many reviews out there, AJMadison, Chowhound,Retrievo etc etc. In this case I looked at Reviews by Consumer Reports readers that bothered to fill in the surveys that CR sends out. There were 13 reviews, of the 13, 4 complained about uneven heating in the ovens.I mention this because of rhomes experience with her GE ovens, but this is only info for one model Bosch oven so be SURE to look for reviews on the model you are interested in! Here's the link http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/kitchen-appliances/cooktops-wall-ovens/wall-oven-ratings/models/user-reviews/bosch-hbl5450uc-99019387.htm#readReview Miele Ovens To be honest, one really has to hunt to find any "Newer information" on the "alledged temp problem" It used to be "easy to find", Retrievo, Chow Hound, FIxit, Just Answer, etc etc. Here is the "Latest" "On the Miele: Broiler seems underpowered at 2000 Watts, but they claim it's "infrared" (doesn't look infrared so I don't know), but it's also a 12-pass broiler vs. Wolf's 3800W 8-pass). Read complaints of oven not reaching set temp, but talked to Miele, they acknowledge and say problem is fixed. Oven light is either on or off while you cook - no button. Timer maxes at 99 min 59 seconds." Here is the link for that: http://cookaholics.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2547 If that is the case, don't you think it would be nice of Miele to at least get hold of the owners who have complained about temp problems and notify them of the fix, Even if Miele is not willing to pay for the fix? I know Baver and Larsi, just gave up, and there is NO BIGGER FAN of Miele than Larsi, (at least that I know of), anyway read the link and decide for yourselves, (I'm taking a chance just posting this as I will probably have to make a "Fast Getaway from two of our favourite women, here in Garden Web, (both with great Miele ovens)! OK Last, but not least, Gaggenau Ovens. Hard to find reviews for the ovens, of the ones I found most are positive, but--- I did find one where the user has complained about chipping porcelain and a lack of response from Gaggenau, I put this here for rhone. (see the link below). http://hellopeter.com/gaggenau/complaints/bad-quality-and-pathetic-non-existent-service-873959 Now , to be honest, I really had to hunt for that one and it is only one oven but as I mentioned their is a dearth of info regarding Gaggenau ovens in general. I'm not a big fan of the Gaggenau due mainly to price and their 40% price increase in just one year, (about 3 years ago now, as I recall). Another thing that bothers me, is when you look up a part for a Bosch or Thermador oven, (Example Bake Element), that same part is used in the Gaggenau oven, so one wonders?? What am I paying all the extra Money for, Name, fit & finish, some "Untouchable/intangible Asset"?? Now don't take my word for this, Here is a link that shows the parts: http://www.reliableparts.com/product/Element-Bosch-Bake-1477152/Bosch-Oven-Range-Parts-461422 Now I will be the first to congradulate rhome, should the Gaggenau oven be all she needs it to be, nobody deserves it more than her, and I only offer the above in the interest of "Full Disclosure" as well as her best interest. I hope she can find a "Deal" on one. That's All Folks!!! Gary