I agree with iumonito to some extent. Look at Larry Fines most recent book & the addendum that he put out after the book was published. There's some great info there.
I don't think you'll find a "great" piano that's less than a bit above 6.' For a home, with a large room, 7' is ideal. An older M&H is great. Take a salesman's talk with a grain of salt.
When you are looking in the upper tier pianos (not the very top) there really isn't competition as to quality, but as to what works for the artist.
A German--not NY--Steinway is wonderful. (NY Steinway, let go (fired) their technical staff a few years ago, and hired sales people, while the German S. continues R&D=the head designer went to work for a Korean company. I can't remember the company right now, but they have their brand listed singularly, their brand + his name, and a piano with just his name. However, he passed away recently, so you'd need to get an older one that was made by him, if you go with one of those.) Schimmel is great. So is Estonia.
I've spoken with the president of the Estonia company, a Juliard graduate with doctorate in piano performance. His goal is to get a quality piano into the hands as many as possible, without having to pay >$100K. and yes, the Steinway, as well as the Estonia are quite a bit heavier to play than, e.g., Schimmel or Fazioli.
I went to several dealers, finally, a "high-end" dealer, played through at least 40 pianos, before narrowing it down to the Estonia, the Korean I mentioned above, and an older M&H. Soon, the M&H and Estonia stood out. But the M&H was a 7' and just a bit too long for my room. The Estonia finally said, take me, take me! And I've been very happy with it. It is handbuilt, has a Renner action and Hammers, is 6' 3" and wonderfully sweet, with bell like treble, nothing harsh as in a Yamaha; the bass is a bit shallow, but I don't think I could get better unless I went to a 7 footer.
Had I had an additional $20K to rebuild the M&H, I'd probably gone with it. But the Estonia was new, the reviews lauding it, and it's sound beneath my fingers was magical.
The Estonia continues to gain in reputation and in price, as more people discover it. I lucked out, mine, two years ago was at $20K. Today it's above $40K. I'd take a serious look at the Estonia 190, a Schimmel, an M&H.
Seriously consider the type of music you will be playing and look for a piano that will bring out the best sound.
For me, I play lots of Chopin, Schumann, Rachmaninoff. They need clear treble, with bell like quality & this piano is perfect.
I wouldn't have a Yamaha C of any size (much less a G); but might look at the Yamaha S series. If you play jazz though or want a cutting sound versus silky, Yamaha is a good choice. But it is a "cookie-cutter" piano--unlike the Estonia and upper tier pianos (which many people have never heard of the names) that are hand built. Estonia only makes about 400 pianos a year. Most of your quality pianos are built with care, by hand (not cheap labor) and are works of art, signed by their makers.
So, go to the highest class (tier) your budget will allow, then play many. Many will say right away, "no." Then it'll narrow down to maybe a dozen, then to a finally three, and in the end, one will say, "take me." --for me (lucky me) I got an exceptional Estonia 190. I wouldn't give it up, unless some gave me $100K to get a new, German Steinway.
Topic: Best grand piano!