angle grinders and cutting wheels

[dmjlambert]

I'm over-analyzing and researching ad nauseam. I thought it would be easy to find an angle grinder I want to buy. I'm wrong.
I would like a general purpose tool that has enough power so I won't regret buying it a month later, and that is safe to use, and reasonable in price.
My requirements:

• $80 to $180 price range
• 10 to 11 amp 120VAC
• 4.5 inch wheels
• Works with 5/8-11 type 27 grinding wheels and flap discs
• Works with 7/8 arbor flat cutting wheels such as Lenox metal max
• Has a type 27 guard to use with grinding wheels and flap discs
• Has or has available a known part number for the type 1 4.5 inch guard made by the tool manufacturer (not generic) to use with the cutting wheel.
• Available hand guard would be a plus
• Variable speed would be a plus but not counting on it in my price range.

As far as I can tell by asking people and searching the Internet, 99% of the cutting-wheel-buying population buys the cutting wheel and angle grinder, takes off the type 27 guard and puts on the cutting wheel and starts cutting. I was interested in being a 1%er. I would like Ridgid, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ryobi, or something else I've heard of but will consider others. I was attracted to Ridgid because they appear to have a good guarantee they call a service agreement, but I don't know if it's real and I don't think they make grinders that they condone using with a cutting wheel.