I have to agree that your problems could be the build quality. I don't know ETBs personally since all the cars I drive are too old but I know the better designed ETBs come from sportscar companies like Mazda or BMW. Mazda uses an ETB on certain rotaries, I almost think they all have ETB but I'm not completely sure. Anyway, it's supposed to be one of the most responsive engines out there thanks in part to the Electronic throttle body.
I believe ETBs
can be reprogrammed
. But I'm not speaking from experience here
.