Central AC units are built "off the shelf" like PCs. For instance Goodman doesn't make the compressor and probably not the condenser or evaporator either. So you really need to look at the parts you get. Having said that, Goodman had a reputation as a low end system a few years ago. Don't know about their recent systems.

You are right about HVAC being a racket but no more than plumbing, real estate, insurance, transmission repair, etc. It cost a hell of a lot of money to live these days and the customer pays for everything.