Ive actually had one card go bad on me, BSOD and dead like right after buying it, but this was in the early 2000s when it was still ATI. Forget the card.
I usually try to stay in the $180-$250 range, which usually means last gen model, and usually the ones that give me the best bang are the AMDs. And by doing so I can usually upgrade more often that way. I cannot really justify $400 cards every 6 months these days since I dont play as many games as I have in the past. Ive been enjoying my PS4 lately.