I used to like it too. Compaints:
1) I get random calls.
2) Texting doesn't work worth a crap, the stock messaging app crashes constantly and the other apps don't work well with RW.
3) The service isn't that great, and the calls are spotty at best. I look forward to being able to actually hear what people are saying.
4) My phone just isn't hanging in there the way it should. Burns battery life trying to complete background processes and apps crash left and right. (particularly my gmaps navigation app)
Boo.
I've had Republic for a year now and couldn't be happier (1st gen Moto X). I'm not understanding some of these complaints mainly because I haven't experienced most of them or found a way around them. I used to have a 3rd party texting app, which doesn't support MMS on Republic so I couldn't send or receive pictures. Once I figured that out and switched back to the stock Messenger, I can send and receive MMS messages and haven't had any issues. I agree though that almost all of the 3rd party texting apps act funny with Republic for some reason...not a big deal using the stock app for me.
I find that calls over Wi-Fi are pretty meh. Sometimes the volume seems turned down and it's hard to hear. So when I make a call I just turn my Wi-Fi off and use the cell towers and it's just like my old Verizon line. I live in a medium-sized city so Sprint cell signal is easy to come by. I can see where this could be an issue in rural areas (as with many cell phone providers).
I've only received maybe a handful of random calls over the course of a year (all within the first 6 months) and I had about that many with Verizon each year before I switched to Republic. Could be luck of the draw with whatever number Republic assigns to you. I still use my original Verizon number though.
Not sure which phone you have but my Moto X is still going like a champ after a year. Battery life still lasts a good 12 hours with moderate-heavy use which is above average for most smartphones and better than my Moto RAZR I had with Verizon. I have noticed a couple times over the course of a year where my battery was drained after sitting idle on my desk. This only occurred when I noticed some apps were still open when I opened the task manager. So now I just got in the habit of tapping the task manager button and swipe all the open apps closed after I'm done using my phone. After a while of doing that, I think I identified what app was draining my battery and now I just have to swipe that one closed whenever I use it and it's been fine ever since. This is an issue with the phone or app itself though and has nothing to do with Republic. I haven't had any issues with GMaps like you mentioned so not sure what's going on there. A lot of times a reinstall (or update) of an app will fix most issues.
Since Republic has the new 2nd Gen models of their phones out now, I imagine some of these quirky things (like texting apps) could be fixed now. And I assume the newer phones have even better battery life. I will put up with the occasional force close or the stock messaging app to save $70/month (over Verizon). FWIW, I have the $10/month unlimited wi-fi plan so I can't comment on using the 3G or 4G data.
Cost Savings:
$300 for phone and $144 for the plan ($12/month after taxes and fees) Unlimited talk/text, unlimited over wi-fi
$444 total 1 year cost
Verizon: $100 for Moto RAZR with 2 year contract at $85/month (limited minutes and limited data, unlimited over wi-fi)
$1120 total 1 year cost
I save almost $700/year and the only thing I gave up is data since I'm on wi-fi 90% of the time anyway and haven't missed it at all. I'm also not locked into a long term contract.