Some good stuff written above. I'm glad we're back on topic (not racism, or whatever). I don't have an "AVOID AT ALL COST" but here's my two cents:

GP Big Stick 60 ARF - Wonderful ARF. Good quality and went together well. I blew it by over sizing the engine too much.
Phoenix Sonic Low Wing ARF - cheap hardware, crappy covering. instructions were useless. Flew well. Crashed after a combat related collision (cool).
Hobbico Avistar trainer RTF - Awesome plane. Good everything.
Goldberg Extreme 330 - Pretty decent arf. Fun to fly and good hardware.
Goldberg Endurance 400 - GREAT ARF. Don't go with the suggested motor because it's underpowered.
Combat SPAD - Awesome flier. Fast and no frills. No rudder and can turn on a dime using bank and elevator. Crashed hard during combat often with no or little damage.
Phoenix Giles 202 - Instructions BITE, hardware's somewhat lame. Flew well, but needed hinge gapping. Best looking hangar queen I have (only one).
Ikarus Super Star - Awesome. German instructions tough, but the Ikarus brushless setup is wonderful.
GP Extra 300S 160 ARF - Best ARF I have ever assembled. Wonderful flier and durable. Bigger is BETTER!

I've learned that it takes much more time to do the ARF than the 10 to 15 hrs they advertise. Experience has helped me speed up the assembly time on the common items and focus on the strengthening and other non-specified aspects. Bottom line..... I LOVE ARFS because I don't have to cover....

See ya,