As I have a general distaste for official factions, I find the current system far better than what we had before. I think that one of the keys to writing a good story, is that it has to be something you want to write. Otherwise it just comes across as some stupid contrivance whose sole purpose is to get you the guns you're looking for. And when you do actually try to put forth the effort to do this, and the faction leader just goes, 'LOLNOPE', it's absolutely infuriating.
If you honestly think it's amusing to 'sit back and watch the rage that comes with it', well, I guess that's just one more reason for me to not like you.
I also feel that the current system makes more sense. You have 'okay, I can buy these guns that this faction is selling, because I'm friendly enough with them that they'll let me land on their base. However, since I'm not one of them and my homies aren't either, we can't properly maintain their equipment, so its performance suffers.'
Instead of 'Hm, my faction's mechanics have no idea how this tech works, but I got permission to use it so apparently that comes with a free technician manservant.'
Oh, and since I know you really like them so much, here's a present. Really.