The major reason that I bought MJ was for the Media Library and organizational abilities. For me, most of the other features are unused. I don't do streaming media or TV on the computer, I don't use a portable that requires a plugin, I don't need a media server, and I have better utilities for tagging, editing, replaygain, ripping and burning. Perhaps v9 will make some of these additional tools, perhaps not. But if it doesn't completely replace at least some of them, I'm not paying for an upgrade - there would be no value in it for me. As for new functionality, the same rule would apply - only if it can completely replace an existing utility or offer features unavailable elsewhere.
One thing I'm concerned about is diffusion. As more features and utilities are added to MJ/MC/whatever, what will happen to the quality of service and the addressing of minor issues? A greater number of functions means a greater number of potential issues - that's just software, IMO. But how that will affect the prioritization of issues remains to be seen. Also, I worry when software that I use starts to become an "all in one" package because it most often translates to "best at none" and I wind up moving on to other utilities.
Last, the restore issue: this is my only major gripe with MJ, and the thing that keeps me from recommending it to anyone. Between the limited number of restores and the difficulties faced by newbie users, I can't honestly reccomend it to many people. And given the sensitivity of the multiple protections, there is a resulting small measure of dread. I have to question whether I should make certain computer changes or upgrades because of one software package - not a good situation. Increased cost with no change in that policy and architecture would be a negative influence for me.