Save, I was in the same boat, I have 2 Cougars, and the last one was modded up a lot to keep it going, and my first Warthog went a long time before dying to sticktion. Like years. Then it went down, and the replacement took only 10 months to start exibiting the same issues and others. It's random IMO, on Warthog number 4, it's been fine for over a year now, and I also picked off a like new used one online for about 230$ USD with the throttle (I mainly wanted the throttle as I have 2 stand alone Warthog sticks I got used from Amazon very cheap as they had some factory 2nds type issues that were so minor I laughed when I opened them up). Warthog 4, the newest cobbled together set, doesn't get much use now, since I've got my T50 and Gunfighter's all dialed in.
I really hope the big secret reveal TM is rumored to be doing at this year's E3 will show off the F18 Hotas they teased there last year. SHould they build a decent gimbal, which was the major downfall of the WH IMO, they could really do well still. Same with building a decent F18 throttle - man, a new TM HOTAS based on the F18 (which it is), and hopefully with a non-garbage gimbal...I'll be buying, 2, right out of the gate. TM has a lot of the market share, and despite really crappy public relations and support, they have an opportunity IMO to really up the ante. Should they start taking care of customers better, offer easier and faster/more reliable access to parts and service, and help in general, along with a really intelligently designed new HOTAS - they could stay at the top, even with all the competition from VKB/Virpil. I'm not holding my breath, which is why I'm so invested in the new VKB/Virpil companies, both in support by purchasing as well as supporting them vocally online, but I won't be upset in the slightest should TM hit it out of the park at E3 with some good news.