I have two stickburners, one horizontal offset and one vertical (which also can be used as a grill). They're both 20-25 years old. Neither are known, fancy brands -- they cost less than $2000 (as far as I can recall) -- but back then that seemed to be, and was, a lot of money for a smoker. I was willing to pay it for the high quality and thick steel.
They've both sat outside in the weather for 20-25 years (including 5 years in snow and rain in England), I don't cover them (at least not after the first 5 years), and I've never sanded, painted, or otherwise treated them, ever. Hell, I'm lucky if I even clean them more than once per year. Yet they're both as solid, functional, and effective as the day I bought them. Yes, they have a few rust spots on the outside, but nothing really eating into the steel and what's there doesn't bother me.
I guess this is a long way of saying that IMHO buying a stainless steel stickburner is simply not worth the money. You should be able to get a fantastic thick regular steel stickburner for $2000-4000, depending upon size and features. This site has several lists of makers; get it and have fun checking out each maker. And if you can find a maker you like near where you live, you can save on shipping also.