You might try to get more insight with the simulator.
Yes, but the simulator and I aren't exactly best friends. I've spent hours yesterday to even get it working. Apparently, Windows 7 doesn't like Java Webstart Apps quite as well as XP. It had tot do with the cache folder Java places the jars in and its trust-level. Windows (Vista &) 7 give that folder a low-trust rating for which I used a tool to upgrade it to medium. Not really good for my system's security, but meh.
I bought a premature Colony, because I was eyeing some 3-pile options as well. With a couple of highways and Quarry in play, it was a jiffy to reduce the $5's to $0.
Also, playing this kingdom in real life has the added problem of an opponent which may try to snag as much as he can of the cards that you need. I like this added interaction, but it confuses the hell out of me. Should I grab Highways earlier than usual to deny them to my opponent?
In the actual game, the opponent bought an Oracle and didn't get very far that quickly, so it wasn't that hard. Against a much better opponent, this would have been much more difficult...