The cobra I had lasted over ten years, the screen failed or faded to the point it couldn't be read.
My original thick white plastic/fibreglass aerial snapped at the base after a few years, the replacement base loaded one also snapped the point it left the coil after a few years.
I would imagine most sets are fine these days, the most noticeable difference is functional and wether you have controls on the mic or not.
It is advised to put the aerial as high as possible for rf safety again I'm not sure what the evidence is for this, it is mentioned in installation instructions.