So my WRT-350N decided to stop being a router last night and to start being a brick instead. All ports and WiFi appear to be dead. People have discussed the latest and greatest here - so what's the best basic router for:

* enough wireless range for a smallish two storey house;

* able to connect and configure about 15 wireless clients and 4 wired (one wired in a DMZ)

* probably going to stick with stock firmware, as the Linksys one on the WRT-350N was pretty much okay for the last 8 years; and

* would be nice if it wasn't unholy expensive, was available retail today, and was likely to last at least another 8 years. 

My network setup is very simple: just internal IPs assigned by MAC address via DHCP, and locked in the router. Yes, I manually copy /etc/hosts files about: don't judge. It worked fine until the router went kablooie. 

I'm wondering if I even need a router, though. The Sagemcom box from Teksavvy (rented from Bell) has WiFi and four LAN ports. What does having my own router do for me?

Recommendations and advice welcomed. Assume I have no idea what I'm doing if you haven't already.