I've had a Samsung i727 and I loved it, but it got wet and is no longer working. I currently have an LG E980, but it's really large and has wiggled its way out of my pocket a few times and the screen is completely shattered. So, I looked into repairing the glass (LCD screen and digitizer are fine, but the usb charging port and headphone jack operate intermittently now) and it turns out it really isn't that expensive to do on your own, so I looked into what it would cost to try to repair my i727. Parts are generally not too expensive, but the only part I need to repair it is the mainboard, and I can't seem to find a decent, inexpensive source for new OEM parts for that like I can for some other phones. One of the other things I don't like about the i727 or the E980 is the difficulty in having a truly free phone. I tried several times to install cyanogen on both with no luck. I rooted my E980 and can't even use tethering without ATT's permission (which I could with my i727). So, I was wondering if I could access this community's collective knowledge about an ideal used phone for me to buy, repair, unlock, and mod. Here is the criteria I am looking to meet:

• Can take the battery out
• Expandable SD Memory slot
• Can root, unlock, and install ROMS without too much hassle
• Can wifi/usb tether without permission from my carrier
• Can find pretty much all the new OEM replacement parts I would need at a relatively inexpensive price
• Newer than a couple of years old and of a similar style (touchscreen) and performance to the i727
• If it's used and operating less than $100 in price
• Approx a 4.8-5.1" screen
• 4G Capability

I know it's a tall order, but I really don't like not having complete control of my own device. I want it to be FOS operated as much as possible and have the ability to modify/install parts as much as possible. I'm just fed up with how much control carriers have over the physical device, and if it gets damaged having only limited options for expensive repairs. Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated and hopefully this information will help others who are in a similar stage of frustration I am in.