I'm pretty new to the hobby, 2 years this month, but I've went through quite a few planes. I don't have the time to build a kit. The ARFs have made this hobby possible and enjoyable to me. I like them, but I don't know anything else. Following are the ARFs I've had. All of them were satisfactory but almost all of them needed a small amount of work.
Hobbico Superstar Trainer (did nothing but fly it)
Hobbico Avistar (did nothing but fly it)
Hanger 9 Ultra Stick 60 (wonderful, fun plane, moved servos to tail for balance, carbon fiber control rods)
Hanger 9 Ultra Stick 40 (Same as above)
Hanger 9 Ultra Stick 120 Lite (Same as above)
Hanger 9 Twist (Nice plane, no modifications except carbon fiber control rods)
Hanger 9 Funtana 90 (The only plane I wish I'd never seen. This is a lousy plane, I modified everything and then finally gave it away)
Great Planes UCD 46 (4) (Usually have to beef up landing gear area after several flights, Fun,Fun plane)
Great planes UCD 60 (2) (Same as above, put carbon fiber control rods on this one)
Sig Mayhem3D (Great flying plane, no modifications at all. Wonderful hardware, except axles)
Extreme Flight Yak 68" (still in box but appears to be a good ARF)

The 3D ARFs are very light. But that is what they are supposed to be. I don't have any problems with how fragile the are. That is why I buy them. To be light and good handling. But with that lightness comes weakness. Sometimes you can beef up a certain area and do a little better (landing gear seems to almost always be a concern)

All in all I love my ARFs. It makes the hobby possible for me. All of the above manufacturers I think do a very good job. I would buy from each of them again.

Thanks,
Barry