Bobert, I'll see you at the Getaway with my Taylor. Be prepared to eat crow.

Anyway, if you get a good Martin guitar, you have one that is worth the price. It will only increase in value as no other guitar will.
They do build some really fine guitars, and they also put out some pretty crappy ones. In my opinion, they got really complacent in the 70's and put out a lot of junk. Now, with Taylor hard on their heels they are once again being competitive.

Now,when it comes to intonation, most Martins leave something to be desired. If it is on key in "E" it will be out in "A" and that's where the Taylor shines. As I have said before, when I got the Taylor 810, I sold my HD 28 Martin and I gave away my 1956 Gibson J 45.