I've had a 3rd gen 40GB iPod (lol not click wheel) for a while, it had an owner or two before me (eBay). I've dropped it in a lake once and it's fallen down stairs at least once, never had a problem with it once. I installed a better battery for the hell of it that the seller gave to me for free, so win.
New iPods suck, I think. They're not nearly as reliable. | 
