Bottom line for me only, others may disagree... and you may well be on the higher moral and technological ground. Just my opinion from having bounced Reaper and Sonar off each other for more years than I want to remember. Major strengths and weaknesses are in each.
Reaper is an absolute killer machine. Incredible. Rock solid, stable, brilliant, constantly evolving. Getting thru the paradigm shift is problematic when things are expected to work like something familiar, and Reaper doesn't do it the same way we are calcified to demand that it has to be done..
For those new looking at Reaper as one of their possible DAW's, a couple hours trial ain't going to cut it, will only end in anger and frustration, loss of a beautiful system above our radar. Takes days to understand what these geeks put together and created as a next generation workflow, that in all honesty fell short in Cubase, Sonar, Protools and others.
When too not drink to drunk no more, would be honored to do a couple YouTube videos on some of the hi points that IMHO excel way beyond Sonar's ability to handle the tasks. You judge. If you see how effectively it is done and how simple it is to do tasks impossible in Sonar, the jump is not so bad and has many benefits. Only a different way of doing things. Want to start with glorious multi synth and effects chaining Youtube for keyboard folks. Should add that TTS-1, Dimension, Rapture, Zta, the SI suite of strings and pianos, etc, work solid in Reaper. And thanks to Glenbo for his hard on, continued input for the welfare of all.
Still keeping Sonar on my disc. May revert to 8.5 back when the program was civilized. I need Reaper and maybe others of do you as well.
John