"Sure, Pella's finish and hardware might feel a tad nicer out of the box, but after a few seasons of weathering, the difference isn't all that noticeable."
I get where you're coming from, but I'd argue that the initial quality of hardware and finish can actually make a bigger difference long-term than it seems at first glance. I've had a few experiences where cheaper hardware started showing issues after 5-6 years—handles loosening up, seals wearing prematurely, stuff like that. Meanwhile, Pella's hardware has generally stayed tight and smooth even after a decade.
Not saying Marvin or Milgard aren't solid—they definitely are—but sometimes those subtle differences in build quality become more obvious as the years pile on. I recently revisited a job from about 8 years ago, and the Pella windows there still felt noticeably smoother to operate compared to some Milgard Ultras I installed around the same time. Could be anecdotal, sure...but it's enough to make me think twice before dismissing the premium price outright.