I kind of understand your point but not fully. I don't think that I would use my old ABU's for the same purposes I would use my LP reels for. For an easy 10 - 15 dollar fix he ends up with a great reel for fishing spoonbill, blue cat, flathead, large striper and large hard fighting saltwater fish that most LP reels would struggle with.
I don't see a 5600 and Pflueger Supreme being used for the same purposes so maybe that is where our difference in opinion rest.