BDI2000 is still a bit expensive. About $200 at ebay for used ones and some instrument trolls are still trying to sell the firmware packs for kilo bucks. And yes, all the associated SW stuff was even more expensive. But no one would buy it unless a strong reason. One of the reasons is the convenience that allows you to be concentrated on actual project development, not on the housekeeping. The free tools, on the other hand, creates irresistible temptation to use them for commercial purposes. That tools are typically clumsy, but the problem can be solved by outsourcing the development to cheap guys who're abundant and will be more than happy to deal with that BS because it's anyway a better business than, say, to unload railway cars at the cargo ramp. Even better, they will have to be really quick, because the free tools can be used by everyone so there will be more competition. Very soon that will be assumed as a norm (those grown up on junk food have no idea how tasty a good food can be). It's "race to the bottom". Sounds familiar? I'm not sure that way is better. Sustainability is the main problem.
As for personal use, I think the only reason to get BDI is if you have all the other tools already. In that case, the box can provide you with comfortable and familiar environment. BTW, to my memory, BDI2000 were necessary only for relatively recent Motorola PPCs, (MGT5100/5200). For the older ones, cheap BDM boxes were enough