Aww, 'tis a shame to hear you gave it up. FWIW the tail on mine has been pretty much trouble-free, and really isn't bad to fly. I've had the heli since early May now and have yet to burn out a tail motor (and this is a *used* machine). A "real" tail setup would be nicer to fly but this is fine for learning.
As far as "something better".....knowing what I do now, and having learned the basics at this point, I would advise a newbie to try a Falcon 3D over the Axe, due to slightly more advanced design and a shaft-driven tail rotor. I have not flown one myself but it looks to be of slightly higher grade than the Axe, has the shaft-driven tail rotor, and comes stock with a brushless motor/ESC. I've heard lots of good stuff about it.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/falcon.htm
Some website around here has the latest Falcon for like $219. That's what I'd do now if I were starting from scratch again.