From a safety standpoint, don't shift to neutral while moving, you lose one of the biggest safety systems in your car - the ability to accelerate.
From a gas mileage standpoint, you use more gas idling the engine than coasting down in gear. The computer cuts fuel under engine braking.
From a longevity standpoint, I can only assume the dealer installed the updated CVT with the different style bearings. Theoretically this one should last unless a different flaw is found.