Depending on the facilities on offer.
Most buyers of new projects nowadays attracted to places which offer tons of facilities. Sky gym, Sky pool, Infinity pool, etc.
When you start high the maintenance fees, is never gonna go down. (just like the prices of food today). That's why new condo minimum also at 0.25 per sqft to 0.30 per sqft. Some higher end luxury type EcoSky at 0.40 per sqft straight from the start, Verve Suite KL South at 0.50 per sqft.

Yes, like you say. It is better to just go and find get older condo which is still paying low maintenance fees and still well maintain. Buying via subsale I mean compare to buying new project.
Here an example of a place with only 0.18 per sqft maintenance fees. 4-5 years old place.

One Damansara