A nearby dealer has not ever been an issue for me. I have always liked to tinker, and with the easy parts availability of most brands out there via the internet, I can mess something up really bad and still come out way ahead verses paying a dealer $75.00/hr.
My newest saw at the moment is a Stihl 310, but I rarely use it. I usually take either my 550 or XL923 Homelites for bigger trees, any one of my 3-360 Homelites, or Mac 610, or sometimes even my one of my old Mac 250's if I'm feelin' nostalgic for medium trees and bucking, and for limbing I'll take either my CS40 or CS50 Homelite, or sometimes my dads old Mac10-10 Auto, or maybe my 430VC Mac.
If for some reason any of the above, or even all of them fail to start, I've got a many more on hand to take their place!
I've only got about $1600 into every saw that I've bought over the years. A lot of folks have that much into one saw. Quite a few of mine were actual basket cases when I got them. I've only got two saws at the moment that don't run (a Mac 200 and a 330 Homelite), and I'll get them up and running before I'll let another follow me home...maybe
Did I mention that I like chainsaws and I love to work on them.