I love Taylors - my first and only 'real' flat-top is a '95 410 (interestingly, my 410 now falls into their 300 series and the 400's have been "improved"), but I'm looking around for something in the same price-range that has a warmer sound.
My experience over the last several years of lusting after a new rosewood 714 CE, is that the brand is generally 'brighter' than comparably priced Martins, Gibsons and even some Larivees - If you're into that sound, you'll never regret buying a Taylor. But the misfortune of not having the scratch to just go out and buy the thing (714) has led me to some realizations that I'm kind of glad I've had.
(I guess what I'm saying) All the top guys are well made and 'reliable' - but I would find out what sound I'd like to be hearing for a long time, and just go with that...
Good problems to have!