Yes and Yes.
I like the new model, just that I seem drawn to the older one a lot more. It has more appeal. I remember when I first saw the old gen Monster, stock mind you, I was absolutely floored. I still get that warm IZ_ feeling when I see a tastefully modded old gen Monster. I've yet to feel that with the new gen.
But yeah, different strokes for different folks.
I was like this with all 3 of the newer models until the 1100 Evo came out and I thought that Ducati had nailed it
Mind you I also agree about the earlier bikes lending themselves to mods more easily + I dont mind putting an angle grinder to a bike which just cost me £600 rather than £8,500