I'm seeking:

1) Preferably under $3,000 and DEFINITELY under $3,500
2) Between 40" - 50" Screen
3) Plasma
4) 1080p
5) Flat panel (NO rear projections)
6) Dependable, long-life brand (no Sanyo- or Symphonic-type shit)

I'm having a pisser finding all this in my two usual brands of choice, Sony and Panasonic, so where should I go next?

If it was a choice between a 1080p 40" or 720p 50" I'd go the 50". Not sure you are going to see the benefit of 1080p on something as small as a 50" display unless you are sitting real close (tho others mo smarter then me can chime in). However, for $3,500 you should be able to get both (1080p and 50") I believe some of the 2nd tier (Westinghouse, Olevia, Visio) 50" 1080p models are in the $2,500 or less range so if you wanted to go Panasonic or Pioneer, bet you could.

I really like the commercial Panasonic models (tho I don't know what they have in 1080p). They come just as a display and you add only what you need (speakers, stand, different inputs, etc). They get excellent reviews. Heck I'm still toying with the idea of putting the 42" 720p model in our living room.

Are you kidding? The 42" HD Pannys can be had for around $1500, and the 50" HDs are well under $3k. And they are both excellent choices.

I think you are talking about the 720p models (which btw I do think are great). But the OP is asking about 1080p models, this gets a little tougher.

Well, the only 40-50" plasma that is 1080p is $10000, so meeting all of those requirements is not possible. There is the Westinghouse 42" 1080p LCD that is under $3000. Or there are 720p plasmas as mentioned by others.

Oops, I was off a bit. The 1080p 50" plasma is selling for $8000, not 10. Does that help?