I work mostly on Hayward products - the superpump has the 4 bolts and I find it very easy to work on them (but I've ripped a couple hundred of them apart) Northstars are closer to what you've had - but Northstars have some serious design problems! The Tristars have 6 bolts and I haven't ripped too many of them apart (yet...). I like the ease of taking the seal plate and motor off of the Sta-Rite pumps, no tools required, but they screw the volute on, as opposed to the Hayward's that just slide on. As long as you aren't having to do a shaft seal replacement and you like and know them, stick with the type you have been using.

ps. have you tried a skimmer sock in the skimmer basket to help reduce the fine debris that gets to the pump?