You can get clones, or the parts for them for cheap if you search around on amazon a bit. I put parts of an e3dv6 on my v1. I used the original heater block but the rest is from e3d. They changed the thermistor design to a cartridge and i didn't terribly want to deal with all that at the time.

I've been printing PETG on it quite well but I have to go slow as it seems the current being supplied to the extruder motor is either low, or PETG is just that thick when it comes out.