Char-Griller Grand Champ XD Series offset

I know Char-Griller doesn't have the best reputation for quality cookers but the Grand Champ XD Series has caught my interest. First, of course, the price is attractive at +/-$500. An expensive offset simply is not realistic for my current budget (the tax-man tooketh heavy this year) but a decent COS is. It also looks like Char-Griller has stepped it up a bit with removeable cast-iron grill shelves rather than cheap wire grates and they also include a charcoal basket and a front shelf. I do wish they'd disclose the gauge material used rather than the great descriptor of "made from extreme-duty steel" but that's the marketing game I guess. So, does anyone have experience with this model? Father's day is around the corner and thinking I might start dropping hints to my kiddos to deliver to Mama.