It would definitely look a lot badass and allow Setsuna to appear to have some skills, though it wouldn't make much sense for CB to not repair the damn thing.

I would have enjoyed the series much much more if that happened.

It would be rather challenging for Setsuna and his busted Exia to take out the Gadessa and other upgraded suits which are revealed in the series.

I disagree. if setsuna had continued to use exia AND own it would've made the show look completely stupid. its bad enough that Aeolia had everyone beat with new mobile suits by like 100+ years. if they still cant improve enough 4 years after getting this huge boost in technology to beat a poorly cared for gundam thats half missing. . . .well it just wouldn't have been realistic in the least bit. plus if your gonna leave everything the same (ie. same gundams for the pilots) whats the point of the 4 year lag? i mean what have they been doing if they havent been improving?

It would really make the show look stupid however, that would be the biggest "BAD-ASS" gundam step i'll ever see since its creation,. i liked the concept of Setsuna having the -repaired Exia as his only MS and still running around and brawling against Masurao - Susanoo custom but it'll be only in dreams. wonder if they could make a side story for it.