cpaulsen, I found the exact replacement of what I had for $359 locally. It's not that I cannot get and install a new Suburban 10g electric/propane. It's that I want to explore other options. I'm looking to remodel, redo, and change.
And I wanted to see other's experiences with different options, so that perhaps I might not re-invent the wheel, or redo a known mistake.
That doesn't mean that I'm not up for doing something that hasn't been tried before. You would not *believe* the creative plumbing and experimental fiddling I'm willing to do if I can finagle the space for a soaking tub out of it. :P