>>> It always amazes me when people condemn particular models that are in general use and that are flying well for large numbers >>> of flyers. I've seen a number of NextStars and yet to see one that was giving the owner problems with anything other that >>> engines some of those guys used.

You haven't been to our field to see the Nexstars that have crashed there. I have personally purchased 1 used Nexstar and 2 New Nexstar ARFS and crashed every one of them on takeoff.
In the brief time that I owned a Nexstar, I had maybe 3 normal takeoffs with the 3 planes cumulative and the rest of the takeoffs were either crashes or near crashes. The plane would be tracking normally down the runway, then turn either hard left or right. If I was lucky, I had airspeed enough to take off after it would turn. If not, I would crash into the crops or fence. After the plane would get in the air, it would fly great. but taking off was an adventure. The last time I flew a Nexstar, it turned right into chainlink fence and beat up the fuse and wing. At that time, I decided it was time to change.
Several members of my club looked at my planes and even flew them and they would have the same results taking off. It wasn't as bad for me as other people though. One day a pilot from another field stopped by and asked if one of us ever owned a Nexstar. I admitted I that I had and he said he had owned 4.
Currently I fly an Easy Sport 40 and have over 20 flights without a problem.

Am I gong to condemn a particular model? No, but after $400 dollars that in my opinion I shouldn't have spent, I won't be very enthusiastic about it either.