A machine that is perfectly suitable for a rider of a certain size, riding style and pedaling technique often just won't work well for another.
At the time I was racing my Vitus 979 my teammate had a Cannondale Criterium that suited his aggressive big gear sprinters' temperament and style very well as race results showed.
Neither of us would have traded machines but understood that each was the "right" choice for the other although we trained and raced together.
"Rides like a lumber wagon" and "frightening to descend on" were both "true" assessments by the wrong rider on either machine.
Putting a lot of time, effort and $,$$$ in finding that C&V "Grail" bike based on legend/rumor/myth/fantasy only to find that it doesn't ride to expectations must be quite disappointing.
If you find a machine that works particularly well for you, new or old, hang onto it.
-Bandera