Although I don't fly the kind of plane you fly, I had many Phoenix models but it was about 6 years ago, they still make some, and they have many new models now. Currently I have a their Tucano http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...LW1130&P=MLbut haven't put it together yet, it's just $109 and I like it better than the $104 Sport that GP has. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGDYP&P=ML. Both companies make decent ARFs, just understand my first hand experience are mostly discontinued models from Phoenix, I remember the first edition Dolphin and Sonic that simply wasn't worth buying again.
The other ARF source I use is in the overstock area and just periodically check for their clearance prices. http://ecsvr.com/abm/shopdisplayprod...verstock+Sales
I wouldn't pay full price for their models, it's a notch lower in quality in covering and hardware, but they fly great.
I had a Tai Ji, Rambler 45, Zen 50, and really liked those models more than anything GP or Phoenix put out at the time. Today I have the LA Racer 40 and like it better than the Escapade. I wouldn't abandon any of the three companies. Seems the junk ARF companies are long gone.