I'm still using two 5000D's I bought probably 30 years ago. They were $22 each at Ed's Surplus in Lynnwood. I had them rebuilt at John's in Everett a couple of years ago and they work fine, although they are a little noisy casting.

Taking them apart and cleaning regularly helps. I use an egg carton to place the parts in so I can re-assemble them correctly.

I prefer to clean rather than wash out as I used them in the salt over the years and washing them with fresh water may only drive some salt residue inside the reel.

My old 7000 is seldom used, but works well after 30 years .

I have a new 7000 that went bad after one trip to the South Pacific so think that the quality is not what it use to be. That may be the case with several brands. The Shimano CS300 A I bought a couple of years ago has been a real disappointment.

I've had good luck with my Daiwa Millionaires from the early 1980s but they are getting tired and I burned the drag out of one during a real good chum season a couple of years back.

If you have an old ambassador that is sitting around, I'd try getting it tuned up at John's in Everett. It might be a better investment than a new one.