The CRJ-200 sucks. IMHO.

But the cockpit is reasonably spacious for such a small airplane. Also, I agree that it seems like fairly sturdy construction.

I think the CRJ-700 is a far nicer airplane and they could have made it even better, but that would have cost more money.

What I don't like about the CRJ-200:

-Feels unstable to me (but not to everyone else I guess...)
-Dead zone at the yoke-centered position
-Underpowered
-Not initially designed for pax service - things break more often than they should

What I like:
-Not bad cockpit space, especially room for the pilot case
-Very good brakes! (RWY 35 or 26 in PHL anyone?)
-Can go fast. Sometimes.
-It's an airplane and I get paid to fly it!!