Do you really need to replace the whole countertop? An alternative, cheaper and just as nice, is laminate covering. You should be able to find it anywhere they sell wall/floor coverings and it's pretty easy to install. It's like refacing your cabinets...but with countertops.

Those are very reasonable prices for granite. Granite does mar and stain from heat. Laminates are 25% the price and much more forgiving. My granite countertop was 8000 dollars and has permanent heat rings from pots etc. Expensive lesson.

what color is your granite that heat rings appeared....I have never heard of that.