modems and routers

Since it doesn't seem possible to find a consensus on what are good modems
or routers, how does ANYONE ever decide what to buy? Seriously?

I've had nothing but Linksys and find their stuff poor and their service
worse. I'd pay what is necessary, but that still doesn't answer the
question of "who" to buy. A very long time ago paying more meant that what
you bought lasted longer. Now it seems to merely buy more flash on
something that hit the market just yesterday - never actual life span. No
matter what you pay, the item lasts whatever the warranty says - if that.

HELP! My "new" Cisco Linksys quit (one of those that looks more like a
cologne bottle than a modem) and they refused to replace it so I need a
wireless router for _2_ computers (big operation here) and I will need a
cable modem shortly as I'm having to reset this one almost daily.

I really don't WANT to pay a big price. I just want something that works
way, waaaaaaay past 60 or 90 days. Something I don't have to ship to the
repair shop regularly.

JimL