I have been using NameCheap for about a year now. No issues so far.
NameCheap has been excellent. Moved over following the wake of the SOPA fiasco. No regrets. In fact, the move should have been sooner. Their service is far the superior.
Godaddy is far from being simple to use. And cheap... no, especially when it comes to renewing. I would never go there again.
I do recommend Badger.com - simple and honest. Also, a ton of other good services around. Just avoid Godaddy.