an Enroute IR would be just as useful as a full IR for 99% of the trips you do.
Possibly.
What "we" don't know is the details. I have heard on reasonably good authority that the EIR would require a
Z flight plan i.e. a VFR departure and a VFR arrival. In such a case one could not legally fly a DIY (or any other) instrument approach.
There is no doubt that being able to fly enroute IFR (i.e. with a whole-route IFR clearance, with ATC working
for you) would be very beneficial.