Yes, if you have a large scale the price goes up, no multi-game proxy, paint job looks bad, and all the other bad stuff that follows - it is the effect of that single factor, 54 scale, I agree complety with you.
Another parallel thing is the delays and format change = effect that kills hype.
A third thing parallel is that the MC license is a small, obscure universe with few hard-core fans that can't handle any changes - and to generate new customers you have to change the look of MC, since the old stuff is so colored by the early 90s over-the-top look that makes most wanna vomit.
Don't mix them.
I believe in a thrid generation products thoo, in a nother 10-15 years.
(Until then this game will be played 10-15 times a year.)