Yes my daughter has a mk 1 and the finish is a lot better on that .
Vehicles have for a long time used zinc coated steel 'below the waist' and this has replaced paint as the major reason car bodies do not corrode away in 3 to 5 years like they used to. Large plastic bumpers that absorb stone chips and do not corrode also a blessing, electrophoretic painting (
http://www.euroqualitycoatings.co.uk/e-coat/what-is-e-coating/ ) of many components is also a major advance. I can remember a time when your precious car would be needing cills and underbody members replaced in less than 5 years and bottoms of doors would rust away in no time, keeping the car rust free was a constant and losing battle. Modern cars are wonderful and many 15 year + examples still driving around and easily passing MOT every year.
It is easy to accuse motor manufacturers of cheapening and dropping quality, but they have a tough job increasing efficiency to offset rising material and labour costs and still keep prices as low as possible, they need to meet legislators demands and buyers expectations. I have been involved in motor industry manufacturing and suppliers for many years and I know how tough it is, you would be surprised how many parts go into a modern car and how efficient they have to be and how good their quality control is (remember many plants are turning out a complete car every 40 seconds or less and every one has a different specification * and has to be perfect). Legislation like the EU banning use of VOC (volatile organic compounds) solvents in paints has forced people to use water based paints, which can be pants.........
* to see cars going along a production track and different coloured seats, wheels etc. etc. arriving at trackside 'just in time' from overhead systems is a sight to behold.
When you sell a car you lose control over how it is treated, and some people are very hard on cars indeed (including the ones that drive like they stole it and also ones that do less than 2000 miles a year) - cars have to satisfy so many expectations from so many diverse people and still stay safe and efficient.
I have had some terrible cars in the past, but since buying Honda all that is history.
The profit margins in car making are not very big and rely on volume and economies of scale to be viable, and one recall can wipe out a lot of profit.
Lets hear it for Honda Hip Hip......................................