Am I asking for trouble looking for a Z3100 at clearance prices, or will HP have some similar quirks with the 3200?

Sean

If you plan on printing images with black or very dark areas on clear film or gloss photo stock, from what I've seen, the Z3200 eliminates most of the star wheel tracking problem. If you don't need super-saturated/brilliant reds and will mainly print on satin photo or matte, or canvas...then the Z3100 will do a fantastic job on those media...and it's a tremendous bargain at the discount prices I've seen.

I appreciate the quick reply - I haven't noticed discounts as of yet; what prices have you encountered?

Some retailers are selling the Z3100 24" below $3000 (B&H Photo is at 2729.00). Plus, there is a $500 to $1000 hp discount and So, I'd say at $1729 or even $2229, that's a bargain. Just do a Google Product Search under "Shopping".

Where do you see the info on a current discount from HP?

They supposedly are shipping the Z3100 newer ones and the 3200 of course with a new star wheel assembly that pretty much eliminates the gross problems encountered before with the early 3100.
That said any non aspirated platen will have some marks on the paper even if near invisible.
The problem with the Z is on third party media much more than on HP optimised media.
Quirks in software , yes expect those to continue.