Shopping for New Cooktop

We are in the market for a new cooktop!  One burner..has stopped working.  Now...this appliance owes us nothing.  I purchased it at least 18 years ago...from a co-worker...whose parents had purchased a new home with this cooktop and wall oven.  For whatever reason..they wanted a standard range with oven...and removed the wall oven...and cooktop.  The wall oven had sold...and in chatting I mentioned we were shopping for a cooktop.  She mentioned her parents were selling one...it was in storage in their garage..and in perfect condition.   I quickly purchased it for either $300 or $350...

The knobs were originally white...I switched them out for black ones...and it has served us well.  Few stores carry cooktops in stock here...our contractor is ordering a Whirlpool model with stainless knobs...and his electrician will install it.  Because our counters are granite...there is a special adhesive required for installation...(the electrician has installed numerous ones in granite)...he will assure installation is done correctly.  He also has done numerous electrical jobs in our home...

In the last few years...we have replaced our wall oven once (apparently their life span is 7 years)..three dishwashers...one new over the cooktop microwave/vent combo...and now the cooktop.  And they only appliance I really prefer would crash...is the refrigerator!  I have a specific size and model in mind..but cannot justify replacing it...until it quits working.  

It will likely be the end of the month or into early December before the new cooktop arrives and is installed.  Which is fine..three burners will have to suffice until then.  When Mr. Seventies & I first married...we rented a house with no stove or fridge!  And made do until we had the funds to purchase them...second hand!  I was very creative with meals using an electric frying pan & wood stove....and a cooler with ice my neighbour supplied to keep milk & necessities cold!  Oh...the good old days..

It's quite cold here today...chance of the odd flurries.  Great day to do some Christmas shopping!