2 & 3 are almost certain(t)ly upkeep/set up of machine.

I'll leave #1 for owners.

I'm sure they will continue to make Star Wars for at least a couple of years so I don't think you need to worry about missing out on the Premium in the short term.

#1 is a common issue that has been reported here several times and even mentioned by Steve Ritchie in Stern's FB LIVE video last week. The hyperloop wireform is too low and the ball bangs into it going up the ramp, rejecting the shot. The hyperloop needs to be adjusted up a bit, done easily by loosening one nut under the Death Star on the left side of the hyperloop and moving the hyperloop up a bit.

I’m curious on #1 too as this has been my experience with the LE. However, watching the latest 1.0 stream of D F shows jack making the hyperdrive shot quite often. But there were times he hit it dead as nails and it bricked.

I can make the deathstar easy also backhand (into the hyperloop)

This is pretty much a non issue. It's probably as simple as the LED board underneath the target being misaligned or something. Unless there is more hardware under the PF blocking the insert, which I doubt is going on here, you'll be ok.
EDIT: Or those might even be bulbs and a simple bulb swap.

I picked up a premium 2 weeks ago. The Deathstar shot is hard, but not impossible. Personally I like it this way as it keeps me challenged. I've had no issues with #2 or #3 that you've mentioned, but mine is NIB and HUO. I'm usually a pro purchaser as it's never made financial sense to me to move up to the premium. The pro did not sell me enough to make a purchase despite loving Star Wars. The premium is the first machine that's made me make that stretch to a more costly machine. Fun factor on achieving the hyperloop is really cool.

I don’t have any of those issues on my premium.

If you’re enjoying the game a lot, an upgrade is worth it in my opinion.

I wouldn’t worry about stern stopping production on them for a long time. So you have plenty of time to think about it.

Felt the same way.... Played a pro and thought it was terrible. Then a buddy bought a prem and I did a total 180. Shoots better, plays better and looks outstanding.

Premium (LE) star wars is the mutt's nuts. Once set up properly (and it doesn't take much), it's so damn addictive.

The death star shot with the jump ramp up is certainly harder then the pro. If you hit is dead it pretty much always works on my though. A little off and it will brick. The other 2 are maintenance issues. Stern is likely to be making this game for a few years so there is no rush.