I don't know what you are basing those statements on but here in Ontario
there are families with generations of experience in small boats of all
kinds. My father was a prospector and my grandfather a trapper and guide.
They weren't farting about in expensive boats for a lark on their summer
vacations. We have a long standing tradtion hereabouts of waterfront
family cottages handed down from generation to generation. There are very
few first time buyers unless they are immigrants and I admit there are a
some of those. Coleman's sell to cottage owners who have more sense than
your trend following "canoeist".

Curious, I used to vacation in Ontario as a kid and most of the cottages there
had beautiful wood and canvas canoes or Grummans (and this was no rich man's
hangout). Of course that was a long time ago.
But how does owning or recommending an Old Town rate as "trend following"?
I grew up as a farmer and was taught to buy what works and lasts. I have seen
the aluminum frame on many a Coleman bent from normal use. My OT has dings
from river use. But it has also served well as a fishing platform and lake
paddling boat and should last for as long as I will need it. When I spread the
cost out over 20 years, it should cost less than $50 per year (and it's already
9 years old so I might make 30 or more), few Colemans will last that long.
There is nothing wrong with a Coleman if you don't mind a slow fragile but
inexpensive boat. But its like using generic fishing line. It works, it's
cheap but it can break easier than Stren. Catch nothing but small fish and you
will be fine. Its not a matter of snobbery but priorities.