Real fun bikes, here's my old one. It was a 2000 (or '01?) 900i.e. like the one you are considering.
They definitely have a unique feel, the roar of the big V twin through carbon pipes, the sound of the dry clutch, etc. The best part of the Monster, though, is the TORQUE. It's the motorcycle equivalent of having a small block Chevy V8. Instant torque at all RPMs. Fun!
They are expensive to buy new, but inexpensive to buy used. It's actually a pretty simple bike that is easy to work on, just buy the manuals and follow along, plus there are a lot of good tech enthusiasts websites with really knowledgable people (kinda like gearhead Porsche owners).
I liked the bike, but sold it because I just found myself not using it much. And the danger of So. Cal. streets, even to an experienced rider (I've been riding for 25 years). My tolerance for death went down quite a bit after my son was born.
Buy it right, ride it for a year, and sell it for what you bought it for (or $500 or so less)!