newer Makita's in 14.4v do fine. So do Bosch and DeWalt. Milwaukee is also a good choice.

I have used 14.4v DeWalts in a commercial business for five years---also used on Saturdays on HfH houses. The batteries lasted four years in heavy use. I could drive any screw that the folks using 18v or 24v DeWalts could---and the 14.4v is lighter.

On "Black Friday", Home Depot is running a $99.99 special on their Ridgid drill. While not a top performer and I'm not a big fan of HD, they have a lifetime service agreement on replacement parts, including batteries.

Here is a link that might be useful: black friday ad

If you are not a pro and just a weekend warrior, what would be a good model? We have an ancient corded drill but could use a new cordless.

The batteries are always the first thing to go, whether you use it every day or once in a while. If HD really offers lifetime guarantees on the batteries, get the Rigid.

WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME SERVICE AGREEMENT

The Lifetime Service Agreement on RIDGID® Hand Held Power Tools, Stationary Power Tools and Pneumatic Tools covers all worn parts in properly maintained tools, including normal wear items such as brushes, chucks, motors, switches, gears and even cordless batteries in your qualifying RIDGID®Brand hand held and stationary power tools; and replacement rings, driver blades and bumpers on RIDGID® Brand pneumatic tools for the lifetime of the original owner. This Lifetime Service Agreement does not apply to other RIDGID® Brand products.

Here is a link that might be useful: full agreement

I attended a presentation a couple of weeks ago by a battery technician from Batteries Plus, a franchised, independent supplier and rebuilder of batteries. His comment was as vendors tried to reach price points, there was only some much fat to trim from the tools and most of the cost is in the batteries, so they tend to suffer the most from low end tools.