Orisons, cantrips and the like - dont recieve bonus spells due to high attribute scores?
Nope
They are usually the spells that most casters get the most of, they are often fairly front loaded (most prepared casters seem to get their daily limit of level 0 spells by level 2), and there is a feat for spontaneous casters to get 2 more of them as spells known.
Plus, while useful, especially with their infinite use, they are still level 0 spells. Most people grab the useful ones (detect magic, read magic, etc) at level 1 and forget the rest.
Mage hand, prestidigitation, and (for bards/inquisitors) sift also remain fairly useful at pretty much all levels. Spark eliminates the need for flint and steel or tindertwigs (which can be useful in certain circumstances, even at high levels); especially when you want to start a controlled fire.
On the divine side, create water, know direction (druids), purify food and drink, and stabilize tend to be useful at all levels, as well.
If you are a race with light blindness/sensitivity, Penumbra is the boss at all levels of play.
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create water, detect magic, and daze(low)/flare(high) are the best cantrips as far as I am concerned. Why? because detect magic is obvious, and create water, in addition to an endless supply of free water, gives you a great counterspell (ready to cast before if they begin to cast). This tactic is more effective with flare (-1 to any attack made by the spell) and is great with daze (lose action, or lose spell).