I will try things before I know that common wisdom says I shouldn't. Don't get me wrong. The needs and circumstances of the modern kayaker are different, and therefore, the designs must adapt and evolve. Cost, maintance, ability to be dropped off the roof of a car, room for a cooler, an integrated cup holder, looks, weight, manufacturability, comfort, smell, strength, storability, transportability, are all valid design features. The modern designs are better in that they fit our needs better, not because they are somehow superior kayaks.
Quality is too subjective.
Speed can be measured, but the fastest is only the best racer, not neccessarily the best kayak. At least your paddling. A day in a re-constituted clorox bottle beats a day at work. But, it would still beat flipping hamburgers.