I have tried many Startacs (as you say, a POS), some Ericssons (poor user interface and S..L..O..W), 2 Siemens (both died within a week) and I am going to stick to Nokias.

Nokias are the only phones which can keep up with my SMS texting, the only ones with a sensible interface and the best battery life and signal strength I have ever found.

They also survive very well - I have seen one dropped off a yacht (while on), recovered, dried out above the stove while sailing home and working by landfall 4 hours later.