I am in agreement with you, while I have my own tier list for GTA Games, I do find myself wanting to replay San Andreas and Vice City Stories more than 5.
I will argue that if I was just going for a GTA game to goof off in (like flying around in a Tank and Hijacking military vehicles), GTA V has more toys within it’s map.
Ditto and I prefer Saints Rows 2 & 3, over most of Rock Stars newer GTA offerings.