Both games have fun multiplayer, but Gears of War just got really boring after a small while and annex and the new maps did not add much to the mix either.

In fact I went back to playing Halo 2 online until Halo 3 came out, which is an awesome game. Halo 3 is just a better fufilling experiece with plenty of replay value in the many months to come.

In my mind, Gears of War just did not have a lasting experience that made me come back for more.

Honestly, the 360 you do get (if you decide to get one) will just be a luck of the draw. I have read all the comments about people being on their 5th or 6th 360, and I find that kind of weird. I got my 360 two months after the launch and it works just fine. I think if you just take care of it like I do, it will be just fine. Even then if you are not sure just buy the warranty

Side note: I actually think my 360 is one of the ones from the 11/05 launch because the year on the back says 2005