I have a few ARFs because of time limitations that I didn't have when I was under 50. I have also had the RTF CLers from as early as 1949 or 1950. I've seen a few good ones, and a lot of bad ones. If you want to consider them as ARFs, or ARCs, generally the best ones I ever bought were completed or partially completed kits built by builders who for one reason or another lost interest in a particular model, or maybe as in a 70% Smog Hog I just got a couple weeks ago, an estate sale. They almost always seem to have better construction, better materials than the mass produced commercial ARFs. And they almost always seem to fly better.
Best mass-produced ARF I ever had was a GP Modern .40 Stick. At least it was until I tried to pick the nose up by pulling back on the stick--on point # 2 of a 4 point roll, full throttle, at about 25' altitude. Only thing that survived was the Fox 46, and that needed replacement needles and a prop.