When I graduated from military college and moved in with my GF, we had a 12" tube. But I didn't watch TV at all back then.
One weekend while she was working, I saw an add in the paper for a 36" tube for $300 - for me, that was huge. I went to go buy it to surprise her when she got home, I was going to be all lounging around watching it when she got home.
Well I had her car that day which was actually her grandmother's because her last car was totalled in a no-fault accident and she was still waiting on insurance money. A 95 I think Oldsmobile.
I bust into Circuit city, pick out the monstrosity, pay for it and the guys bring it out back to meet me. They say "uhh do you have a friend with an SUV?" - no (we just moved up there and didn't know anyone). "well you'll have to pay for delivery then because there's no way this is fitting in that car."
The box was easily 4ftx4ft if not more, no way it was going into the truck or in one of the doors.
The circuit city guys told me they couldn't help me, so they left me outside with the box and my car. I tried to take the TV out of the box but it was way too heavy and awkward for one person to handle. So I slid it up the side of the and it couldn't go into the door. I started throwing my shoulder into it to get it to fit into the car and it would budge a little at a time. After the 10th consecutive hit, it finally slid in. I was exhausted...
I had to drive home with one hand on it becuase it kept slamming into the door on the way home.
I get to my apartment at the time and realize I live on the 3rd floor, and there are no elevators.... and I won't be able to get it out of of the freakin car.
After 2 hours of intense thinking and physical labor, I got the TV from the car into my apartment.
By the time my girl got home I was passed out and couldn't move in front of the TV, so the ultimate plan worked, but the TV has a little scratch on the side (can barely notice it).
So yeah, I still have a 36" tube and it does the trick. I'd love one of the flat-panels to hang over my fireplace but a guitar is in the budget before a TV is.