My advice for what it's worth is based on what I did.
Do the FAA/IR
Buy an N-reg aircraft
Believe me, instrument flying in IMC is far from boring.
Perhaps I'm unlucky but all clouds except the most wispy stratus ones tend to be unhappy to have light aircraft flying around inside them.
I would agree that it is both the most demanding and most rewarding flying you will ever do. Once you have your IR your self discipline will be regularly tested and you will learn about icing, turbulence and CB avoidance pretty quickly.
You need the right aircraft with the right equipment though if you really want to use the rating.
SB