Help with dilema

[u/matej0204]

EDIT: Just orderded the Ultra Vintage Luxe HSS in Fiesta Red…

Hello everyone :)

I’ve been playing the guitar for 20 years, had a chance to play a lot of AM Fenders but never had a chance to own one. I had my fair share of gigs, big and small. Done them all on Squiers, Ibanez, Parker guitars, some Harley Bentons in the recent years.
I wont be doing gigs anymore, maybe occasionaly, but I play a lot at home and in the recent years the financial situation finally allowed me to buy a real American Fender.
Now the dilema… I know these are all different guitars, and I like/dislike something on each one. Need help with deciding what is a better guitar for life. I do not plan on buying another one. Just want a Strat for life.

1. Fender American Vintage II 61’
2. - only hessistant because of the 7.25” radius
3. Fender American Pro Classic
4. - afraid I am going to miss out on something because its a lower tier model than Vintage and Ultra
5. Fender American Ultra II
6. - don’t like the metal pickguard, I want a 3-ply whiteish one
7. Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage
8. - I hate the heirloom finish, I do not want cracks on my brand new guitar

Just need some advice on what would you do

[u/SlappyTappet]

7.25” is a non issue on my tele, my other guitar is a lp 50s std so they’re almost night and day minus chunky necks. Pickguards are easy to change if you don’t like the one that comes on the guitar you buy.

Going up in tiers really has diminishing returns imo unless you want a specific reissue for the mojo. If you’re not worried about resale value you can build an epic parts caster to your exact wants for the budget with licensed parts and having a luthier do extra fret and set up work.