The reason I ask is because I heard the whistlers have issues and people seem to say the older versions are better. I just want to know peoples true opinion on it to see if it actually makes a difference or not.
I don't recall that many "issues", in regards to the newer Whistler models having problems with the scanner itself. Sure, anything electronic or mechanical can possibly have an issue. But unlike the Uniden SDS series (CSJ on the SDS100, and the SDS200 that might hum along with you), and the RTC and display fading issues of the initial production BCDx36HP scanners (which was addressed with a service campaign for repairs). there has not been a flood of complaints related to the actual operation of the WS1040 in any specific function.
Most of the 'complaints' that I've seen relate to errors made in programming or operation, and, of course, simulcast reception, which is an issue for all of the Whistler models. Another issue that crops up is someone buying the WS1040 or WS1065, without realizing that the system they want to monitor is P25 Phase II, which these models are incapable of handling. That's an "operator error", not a fault of the scanner. Most of these same "issues" were also posted about the original, GRE produced, PSR-500. Not so much on Phase II, as it was not in as wide s[read usage as it is today.
However, I would still lean toward the WS1040, if you want one of this specific model type. As noted, the PSR-500 was released in 2007. GRE went out of business in 2012, so the "newest" PSR500 was manufactured over 10 years ago. Some electronic components drift off frequency, or develop other issues as they age. While it's not impossible for something like that to happen to a 'newer' WS1040, it is less likely.