They came out with this:
http://www.kopropo.com/america/index...sk=view&id=183
A steer wheel radio with a stick option for the wheel!
Not been any sign of a new stick radio. However my biggest issue with the Esprit 3 was the 2.4GHz which gave some problems, but that's been solved with the latest KO module/Rx. I've been running one for a while now and been very happy.
A second hand one with the new module is probably hard to find, so it does get quite expensive to buy the module/Rx + a second hand radio. Although some people get on okay with the old module. One option is the FrSky conversion which people seem to rave about, fairly simple and wayyyyy cheaper. I've not tried it though.
If you were going the FrSky route, then maybe looking for an Esprit 2 Type R could be the way to go, quite a bit sturdier than the Esprit 3.