[Saphire]

My Epson R300 has decided to give up after only 18 months and a couple of dozen 8 x 10 photos. It comes up with a general error which will not shift. I have tried everything, I can get it to work maybe for one photo then its back to the error. I have stripped it down and re plugged in all cable in case any have come loose.

I thought of replacing the printer with the same if I could get one but am I going to have the same problem in another 18 months, the reason to get same or compatible is, I have about £80 worth of cartridges which won't fit any of the newer models. If I do go for a newer model is epson still the best make or should I go for Canon, I find with epsons everytime you switch them on they use half the ink in cleaning.
Budget price I don't want to go over is about £90 no more but still want the quality that I am getting now.