I recommend that you buy used for your first one. Things that you thought you really liked or could things that you could do without can change when you actually start using them. Buying used you won't have a big wad of cash in it and they are easy to sell off or trade when you are ready to upgrade. A major thing I learned is the more gray water capacity the better. It doesn't take long to fill a 30 gal tank. I think you are right about the slide, even a small one will add a lot of useable interior room. One thing I hear from lots of husbands is I have to get a different model because there is not enough counter space for the cook. Happy wife, happy stomach, at least at my house!