[microtonal]

Yeah it's so frustrating that what I consider the prime price range for mid-range but well built phones existed for awhile, but has since ceased to.

Did it? You can pick up a 2014 Moto X for $299. You even get to customize it to your own taste. This phone has nice specs and near-vanilla Android. (Love my Moto X 2014 with cognac leather back :). Though, I bought it when is was still 200 above the current price.)

I hear that the Asus Zenfone 2 is also pretty ok. In Europe it's a little more than 300 Euro for the variant with 4GB RAM and 32 GB storage (there are some cheaper variants as well).