Just wanted to follow up with everyone regarding our entry into the hot tub world.
We ended up buying a slightly used 2007 HS Grandee that I personally picked up and hauled back to our house (about 4 hours each way!).
We used the spa quite a bit the first month (August) and then as school began, weather cooled, and days grew shorter, we found it hard to get the time to soak. I believe we have used the spa exactly 20 times since we purchased so that puts us on pace for about once per week. Unfortunately we went from the beginning of November until right before Christmas without using it at all due to poor weather and busy schedules.
Now that the rush of the holidays is over, we are making more of an effort to get out and use it once or twice a week. The stars are crystal clear in our backyard and very little light polution so it is very nice. The evening temps have been in 20's and 30's so it makes it nice to get out........not so nice when it's time to get out!!
The HS is a very nice tub, probably bigger and more than we needed. We anticipated having lots of people over but it really has only happened a few times so a smaller tub might have been better. But given the great deal we got on buying it slightly used (about half the price of a new one), I'm not complaining.
Have not noticed any significant increases in water/electric bills. Cleaning and operation is a piece of cake.
Just wanted to follow up since so many took time to "hold my hand" during the question period we had this spring about tubs and what to look for, which brands are best, etc. We are glad to have the tub and just need to make more time to use it.