Mike, I believe that's a good call on the smaller engine.
Most of our issues can be traced back to the dealer causing more issues than helping. Outside of those problems we've recently replaced the throttle position sensor and just had the occasional maintenance issue - blew a hose on the external oil filter and dumped oil into the bilge, nut on the backside of the shaft came out and prop slid into the rudder (at low speed thankfully!)... But like I said I think a lot of that has to do with the boat not being maintained as well as it should have been early in life.
If your buddy has the 40th I'm sure you're aware that they are LOUD. I personally don't mind at all but I do hear that comment from some others who aren't used to riding behind it.
As far as being a bigger boat... I think it rides better in rough water than either the 210 or the 230. The wake is tremendously better than the X-25 and I would honestly rather ride behind it than the G23.. But that probably has a lot more to do with me being used to the wake...