Yeah they can learn so much from SA. Still my favourite part of series. GTA IV was a huge letdown for me so I didn't even finished. I did not fell as much freedom as in SA and also hated the movement model and everything else. GTA V was much better. I finnished the story and also played online but I still think SA was better in many subjects.
Its hard to describe but I'm mostly missing those quick arcade-like reactions. Movements are much more realistic now and nicely chained but because of that even simple actions like punching, jumping, climbing etc. feel like scripted and kinda slow. (Not because of my PC/PS4 power:) You know what I'm talking about...