I appreciate the feedback. There is a guy in MA that has an -003A for sale and is asking $4300. May just take him up on it if he still has it after the holidays, offering like $3500 or so. I will keep looking in the meantime.
I currently have a 5500W portable that will power most essential loads, and we did use it for 60 hrs after Sandy knocked out the power. The problem is that it won't power the central AC. The wife has nasty asthma, and heat and humidity set her off. She ended up in the ICU twice this year because of acute attacks. So i need a genset that will handle the central air. Not sure on the tonnage rating but it is a single unit for our 2200 sq ft home.
It is for that reason that I need a dependable unit and the MEP's seem to fit the bill. Since the 5500W that I currently have will handle the well pump, oil fired hot water heater control circuits, lights (all fluorescent), refrigerator, freezer, and two garage door openers, I am certain that an -003A will cover all that plus the AC.
Luckily during Irene last year the weather was mild and we didn't need the AC when the power was out for 6 days.
Thanks all,
Mike