Personally, I've never understood the attraction of this game. Yes, I've played it multiple times, but the whole small-playfield thing just turns me off. Never owned one, never will.

Then there's my friend that loves the game and has owned it 3 different times, IIRC.

I think if you're having so many reservations about buying it, it's gonna have a tough time living up to those expectations. As you've stated, you're obsessed with "owning" it. That thrill will mostly be gone once it's in your house. You'll need to love the gameplay if it has any chance of staying around.