What is your problem with a ms360?
I have several 036 pros and unless the wood is all > 20" they are my favorite firewood saws, and I have 026 and 028 super. The balance with a 20" bar is perfect, and as light as my 028 super but more power. I love my little tank 028 super it's as reliable as the sun, will never sell it. The 026 is a bit lighter and balances nice with a 0.325 16" bar, but lacks the power of the 036. For > 20" wood I break out the 038M or 056M/066
BTW, I feel your $$$ pain. Most of my saws were DOAs that I repaired and rebuilt. This place has been a great resource for advice and guidance.
Keep your eye on CL, I got a: 1) nice running 056M that just needed an oil pump, NOS 20" stihl E bar, and a nice complete 026 w/scored piston for $50. Add just said chainsaw for sale. , 2) filthy but nice running 026 w/6 chains for $95.
Free saws I've got include: 1) 2 038 supers w/scored pistons, these are now 038M conversions, 2) 038M from a logger friend, needed cleaning out carb and recoil, came with 038 parts carcass. 056M that had a bad bosch coil and 3 parts carcasses. 3) 036 pro w/scored piston. I did a thread on the rebuild of this before the site hack.
P.S. there is a local 026 on CL w/extra chain for $125 on CL, but it's about a 4 hour drive for you.