With apologies for the butt-inski,
@Br1ck (in case he needs to correct me) had his guitar professionally refurbished by highly experienced and noted local luthiers 6 or 7 years ago (forgot the actual timing).
He got it for a decent price and liked its voice enough to bring it back to its best possible condition, including a re-finish. At the time the investment was a couple of hundred dollars more than the guitar's market value, but he knew it deserved it. In the meantime his love for it seems to have grown if anything, and suspect it might now even be worth at least what he's got into it, if not a bit more. And he's got to play it in the meantime.
Just giving some background that the guitar is "like new", probably the main reason for his comment.
I know he likes that light '71 build style, but don't know if he thinks workmanship was better. Some of the materials certainly were, "for the money". And thus worth refurbishing.
For me, when I got the second refret on my D25 about ten years ago, it felt brand new again, loved it to death. Sure it's got some dings but now it's better than new in my opinion, with about 1400 hours of playing time having opened her up nicely. I couldn't do that again with a new guitar.
And my '03 D40? Took about 8 years to really get her voice but now it's actually my favorite.
I know my own D25 is probably worth about what I've got into it between original new buy and 2 refrets, and by that measure I've had 26 years of free playing. And FWIW as a '96 Westerly build, even having taken a couple of scary knocks, but always strung with lights, the neck angle is barely deflecting from perfect and all the seams are intact. I call that excellent build quality. Made to last.