We have had two 8-man Guide tents. The aluminum poles are worth the $ as they are tougher in the wind (very wind resistant tent for the size
of it.) Our first one finally was getting weak in the fly from UV exposure after 15 or so years of use, a lot at higher elevations in CO. We bought another like it and still use it, most recently on a two week fly-in Northern BC fly-in hunt. We use the old large style vestibule to cook in.
We never had moisture issues in the tent.....you need to run the interior triangular "windows" down aways to allow it to ventilate, same with the top panel. We cook in the single wall vestibule and it does get wet. No floor in it, just a tarp so no issues with the drips there.
As per setting up the tent, once you learn how it is a snap. There's six poles and a fair amount of stakes so it does take a bit of time, especially with the large old style vestibule. My wife and I pitched it at night dozens of times and are still married!
Good luck with your tent selection!