Crayfin,
I've busted 5 of those pretty Berkley Buzz IM7's(Spinning model), but the other "low-end" rod you mentioned, the Intrepid- bought one for my boy last summer and paired it up w/ an ambasador 5500 and couldn't be more impressed. Paid less than $95 for the combo- the boy outfished me until I set down my Lami, grabbed it and landed a 20 Lb Silver on my favorite river. See ya in Yakutat(I wish!)
L.R.