I loved my XT3s, and got to the same point as you a couple of years ago, after > 500 miles on my last pair. I was pissed off enough that they'd changed the shoe so much that I swore never to buy more. Of course, they all do. :)
I tried a couple of cheaper others: New Balance MT10 v2 Minimus & Nike Zoom Streak LT 2, both of which fell apart with less than 50 miles on them (rocks chewed them to shreds). Returned them both for 100% refund from Running Warehouse.
So I can only really comment on your option 4:
With my new Running Warehouse cash from two pairs of shoes I bought the one pair of Trailroc 245s. I liked them enough that I'm on my second pair of 245s now, and will be purchasing another pair shortly, as a backup. I also started running the 150s this summer, and love both versions! Very different shoes: 150s are snug like slippers, 245s nice n roomy (for my 'normal' foot), different upper material (245 is meshy, 150 is stiff but uber-thin), rock shield in the 245s, none in the 150s, which feel pretty darned thin on rocks.
Good luck with your decision. A great option with Running Warehouse (and maybe others?) is: buy them all. Send back what you don't like, even up to 90 days later after use:
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/CustService/return... (but don't abuse it ... try them around your house, if they're obviously no good for you, send 'em right back).