My wife and I purchased a 2003 Caldera Geneva Utopia in march of 2003. It has been a wonderful spa,and have had very few issues with it.
You're on the right track as far as wet-testing. Take your time in deciding,and let the comfort of the spa be 75% of your buying decision,and let the dealer satisfaction be 25% of your buying/purchasing decision.
Caldera I believe still does(they did with ours),throws in the spa sub-panel with breakers,as far as the package when purchasing a spa. That alone is worth around 200 bucks. With Caldera and any other spa you consider purchasing....ask them what's included with the purchase of a spa(I.E. cover,cover lifter,chemicals,steps,extra filter,etc etc).
As far as wiring the spa,you should get a qualified LICENSED electrician. We ran about 50 ft of #6 wire,with conduit....and the electrician also added a sub-panel in our garage next to the main panel. We paid 500 dollars for parts and labor,which I considered cheap(helped havin a friend as an electrician
).
Anyways, as I said prior,take your time, and make a "comfortable" and confident buying decision.
GL