Very interesting thread. I JB my ViP within a week or so of getting it and have occasionally thought about going "pure." However, coming from a BB there were some tweaks that I needed to make me comfortable with the ViP.
In that time I've downloaded (and paid for) a lot of themes and tweaks from Cydia; I don't use most of them anymore. However, I don't think that I would be happy with my ViP without apps like MyProfiles, AutoResponder, BiteSMS, iFile, OpenSSH, SBSettings, SpringMe, WeatherIcon, and 5-Row Keyboard. I also like to use a theme (currently UINique HD or REDDIMblue HD), and with the help of Ipheuria I learned how to customize and use just the parts of the theme that I want to apply.
I've been thinking about doing a full reset on my ViP so I have a "clean slate" and can use the "pure" version for a while. I don't think that I'd last more than an hour or so that way, but then I'd only reinstall the Cydia apps that I actually use. This thread is definitely making me seriously consider that option. That leads me to the question, do I stick with 4.2.6 and use Greenpois0n to JB or do I update to 4.2.8 and JB with sn0wbreeze? I've been quite happy and comfortable with 4.2.6 and Greenpois0n.
P.S. Hank, are you still "Team Pure"?