Starting my research on a new furnace.

[omowasu]

2-stage is always worth the extra money - with a home that size, it could really save you some coin. I had a Trane system once (furnace and CAC) that lasted 28+ years. Carrier used to be pretty good too, but my Trane CAC units held up better than the Carrier CAC units I had.

You can probably get a better price if you shop around. 3500 seems about 1000 too high to me, but not sure what the building and furnace codes are in your area.

Of course, one other option is to buy the furnace on your own, and then have a contractor from Angies List install it. Then you arent getting railroaded on the furnace cost.