If you love it, then buy it. A $K here or there all comes out in the wash. My only point is that you shouldn't expect to be able to turn around and sell it for what you paid if you're close to the $6K mark.
Monster is a solid platform that has been around a long time now. I don't fit the bikes (too cramped) but it is popular here. Sunday I did a group ride with about 20 guys and over half of them were on Monsters. They do just fine in the twisties. They didn't follow me onto the fire road though, nor were they doing 2-up
