I've had my SL-1210GR for a few weeks now. You DO NOT have to oil the spindle every few years. And the reason people buy the GR and the G is that they are very reliable.
Anyway, to answer your question: the AT- 33ptg/2 or the AT33Sa are great cartridges in the $600-769 price range. Those are the 2 I have personal experience with.