Not a carp angler, but I've got other freespool reels - Okumas and Daiwas - I've bought cheap for wife, kids etc on the odd occasions they come out with me.
The 8010GT Baitrunners were/are a better reel than the newer Nexus 8000GTE's - I've got both and the newer reels, eight or 10 months old - are as rattly as ones I've been using four or five years.
The problem I find is the spools work loose on the spindles, which knackers your line lay and sometimes efforts to set indicators "tight", the bail arm rollers eventually seize up and the handles either wobble or get bent.
I've also had one of the GTE reels seize on me second time I used it and had it replaced, ie hooked a fish, knocked the anti-reverse off to let it have some line and it jammed solid.
If you're buying one second hand don't buy one off a pike angler, as we tend to winch much heavier rigs around, cast heavier weights and the kit gets a lot of knocks.
Check the baitrunner isn't seized or stiff and the drag's still smooth - I fish with mine screwed up tight and back-wind, if the guy who had the reels before you did, the chances are the washers are sticky.
Also check for bent spindles - using braid can put a lot of pressure on if you pull against a snag or even bend into a fish a long way out drifter fishing.
Second-hand carp anglers' reels don't get subjected to this kind of abuse.
As far as other makes go, the Daiwa Regals/Emblems are quite robust but the Regals' spools are fairly narrow, which might be an issue if you need to cast any distance.
I must admit the Okuma reels I've got for my son feel plasticky, the bail arm bends when there's any pressure on it and the spools have a moulding mark which I'm sure will cut casting distance and even chafe the line if he used them with braid.
Value for money equals kit that will last and stand up to the abuse in my book.
I reckon I'd have worn out three or four cheaper reels for all the mileage I've had from Shimanos which have never had a service.
