@Crankin, you're the second person who has mentioned Jamis to me.

I read a good article on the differences of steel (modern), aluminum, carbon. It sounds like for purely ride quality a steel frame might be a good place to start.

Also, thought I would redact what I said about buying all sorts of cars if I had the money. I highly doubt I would have that many cars because I don't think it would be the right choice from a trying to live a "greener" lifestyle point of view. I mainly said that just to give an example of how I would like to have a variety of bikes "just because".

Thanks.