stihl saw upgrade question

[Rob in NC]

ive run smaller stihls for most of the things ive needed around the farm - I have a 290 and a 311 with a lot of miles and some solid years on them. every once in a while I need a bigger saw for that huge oak or possibly slabbing something that wont fit on the mill.. ive been looking used with no luck so far but its hard to justify spending the money for something new to use 2 times a year.. however IF I went with a new saw and wanted a little more capability and bar length from stepping up where would you go? I first looked at the 362 but it looks like it wont run much more bar then my 311 - and when you get into that kind of money your only $200 from a 441.. then $450 to a 661.. etc. so if im going to buy new I don't want to short change myself. Having never run a saw over about a 390 I don't know if there is a world of difference in one vs the other? I would like to be able to run a 25-28" bar standard and be able to put on a 36-40" bar once in a while.

[lxskllr]

Pretty set on Stihl? The echo 800P is an 80cc saw for <$900. Might be a way to save a few bucks.


edit:
The product page...

Chainsaws, Professional-Grade Chain Saws, Top Handle Chain Saws | ECHO USA

[sawguy21]

You are not going to be happy with those bars on anything less than a 461/462, the 441 is no longer offered. I agree it is hard to justify that kind of money for occasional use, keep your eyes open for a used 70cc saw. Something should come up.

[charles mann]

I was just on ebay and there were several 661s and a couple 090s and some 441/461s. 
Its better to have and not need, than need and not have. 

Price was a determining factor for me, and i was looking at the 880, but settled on the 661 and got it on sale, with a 36" bar/chain for $990 a few yrs ago. 

[Inaotherlife]

Been ponderin getting a 70cc myself.
Figured 25-35-70, for me, is a better 3 saw plan than 25-35-50.

I saw a j-red 2177 for 300 but it looked pretty beat up, and no bar and chain. Went back for a second look a few weeks later and it was gone.

Have seen a lightly used Echo 800 for 500, which might be nice, but heavier than I'd want for replacing a 50cc in the line-up.
Something like this might fit your needs though.

I recently did buy an old good running Echo 660evl. I'm not sure what for other than the price was about the same as the cost of the new bar and chain on it.
But it's not really in the same class of even a slightly newer 70cc.

[Rob in NC]

I'm pretty set on a stihl. I'm not saying there arnt other good saws out there but if I get half the life out of it with no problems that I have out of the stihls I already own then I will be very happy. Kind of like the old saying goes "why leave fish to go find fish?"