If you are pinched on money, and only cut 5 cords a year, get the 290. They are good saws, and they will last 10 years or more. If you have more money, want a lighter weight saw, and one that will last more like 20 years, and are easier to work on, then get a 260. But for the near $500 price, you may as well get the 361. The 361 is a far better saw for the money at about $600, and last a lifetime. But if you are not going to run the saw for very long periods of time, the 290 will do you just fine. No need to rebuild it unless you run straight gas in it, or plan to run it for thousands of hours.
Also I would try to find a different Stihl dealer if you can. This one is a borderline scheister, and full of :censored: . There are many honest Stihl dealers out there that will be happy to sell you a 290. 290s are used by a lot of pros as well, and I have used one for over 5 years myself. They can drive a 20 inch bar, and cut big wood. Not as fast as a larger saw, but speed is not that important in part time firewood cutting.