I have an LG VX8300. Easily configured to accept MP3 ringtones - which you can put on the phone for free with a USB data cable or a bluetooth link with bitpim. I also use it frequently when I'm on the road or out of otherwise out of wifi signal range to access the internet (which you can do for free if you know how your plan works) by using the phone as a DO gateway. I've had it for just over a year now, and I've never had any problems with it. I also know a lot of people who have the same model, and I've never heard any complaints.
It's a bit bulkier than the chocolate, but you're looking for reliability, so make the sacrifice.
