David your feelings of frustration are not unusual, it always looks so easy to just pick up a camera and take great pictures but the reality is so different isn't it. I think that's the first part, you need to realise it's not easy, but here isn't hidden secret to getting it right - that's the good news. You really do need to just practice and keep practicing.
Ultimately unless your equipment is faulty it doesn't matter what you use. Taking a picture uses skills and equipment, as long as the equipment works and you have the skills you will get a picture. Don't spend more money just yet, all you will do is be frustrated that you've spent more money and still can't get the picture you want.
The first thing to do is identify what it is you are really struggling with. It could be the lens is faulty, or it could be you. Don't worry too much about the zoom aspect, just pick a distance somewhere away from either extremity and leave it there. Just worry about your basic camera settings. Using Aperture Priority is fine, and there's nothing wrong with auto ISO, although I would have a go at setting it yourself so you have a good understanding of how it works and what it does.
Just take pictures, it doesn't matter at all what you take pictures of, just keep doing it, the more you take he better they will be. When you get it wrong don't stress about it, just delete them and move on. Ideally though learn from your mistakes, try to understand what your got wrong so you can work on it.
You can read too much, and especially forums, there are more articles on here than you could read in many years, if you are trying to improve your photography you need to work out what exactly you need to improve. I found watching really helped, there are a lot of videos on YouTube, start at the basics and work through to check you know what you are doing and understand exposure. If you don't understand how adjusting the aperture impacts on the exposure and how you adjust the shutter speed and/or ISO to compensate then you have to learn about it before you move on. It sounds easy, the basic concept is, but it takes a lot of practice and then a load more on top. I'm still rubbish, I've taken a few thousand pictures in a few weeks and most are not what I want, but I'm getting more images to look how I want them. Technically they are likely not perfect, but they are good enough for me to be happy and move on a bit.
If you don't know what to take pictures of - that can be frustrating - ask people to suggest a theme and then see how you interpret it. Are you interested in anything in particular? People, animals, wildlife, landscapes, sport, street photography? I have most enjoyed diving into street photography. I couldn't think what to take pictures of so I went to my nearest small town to wander around, took a few pictures like a typical tourist and then started to take random candid shot she of people who didn't know I was even there. At first I couldn't even hold the camera to my eye to do it, but slowly I got braver until I was wandering around taking pictures of strangers. I pretend I'm taking a pic of the building or whatever behind them and they are merely in my shot, but really it's them I want. I enjoy people photography, I didn't think I'd like street, I want to make portraits, but I have a load to learn yet. What I'm finding is its making me think fast and just take the picture. Often it's wrong, it doesn't work, the exposure is out, I miss the focus, but some are good enough that I'm happy with them and will edit them down when I get home.
Street photography may well not be something you enjoy, but it gives you things to take pictures of, and it's pushing and challenging you. The light changes with every step you take, you can't predict what's coming up, you have to just do it - I think it's the perfect challenge for people trying to learn to take pictures and get the hang of the settings on the camera. There's no reason why you can't keep it in aperture priority and auto ISO, but not the settings, see what the camera is choosing for the shutter speed and ISO, or you are not really learning how it works. Slowly it starts to make sense, that ISO works best in that type of light etc. I'm really weird (I've been called a masochist on here) but I've enjoyed learning in manual mode, I tried Aperture Priority and using the Exposure Compensation, but it made more sense to me to just control the shutter speed and ISO myself too. I sometimes use auto ISO and now and then let the camera manage the shutter speed, but it doesn't feel comfortable to me so I tend to keep it in manaual. What it's doing is teaching me the hard way I guess, I'm getting less shots right, but I'm understanding why. I don't see it as any different to someone who shoots on film or wet plate and then spends time in the dark room to develop the pictures. They have no idea if the exposure was right - thats masochistic!
Ultimately it's a hobby, it's meant to be fun, don't be so hard on yourself, if you don't enjoy it you will give up, and that's a shame. It will make sense. You seemed happier with the previous lens that broke, so maybe by another, but really if the current lens is working you should be able to take pictures just fine. Maybe ask someone else to test it out? Try pictures in controlled conditions - a stationery object in constant light. There is a good chance the lens isn't as sharp, it it should still be able to produce a nice clear image unless it's damaged. I must admit I don't use the kit lens that came with my Canon at all, I didn't enjoy it as much, but if I had to I'm sure I could. If you miss the lens get another or see if it's worth getting it repaired - there are companies who can fully service lenses and it's probably cheaper than replacing it unless you can pick up a secondhand one cheap.
Sorry for the long post, I do sympathise with you, it can feel like you won't ever get it right, but just take a breath and try to enjoy it. Stop looking at the work of people who are really great at this stuff and just keep working on your own photography, and take it back to basics - I like YouTube for learning, there are some great videos that help to understand how it all works.
Best wishes