I'm with you. I buy the cheapest steam iron I can find, and when it's toast, I get a new one. I bought a very expensive iron (some fancy brand that I can't recall at the moment) and was never so disappointed. So I went back to the ones I like. Two things a MUST. 1) No auto shut off. 2) Teflon sole plate. (Be warned, however, if you have birds in your house, DO NOT use the non-stick iron or cookware!)
M