I use MME to AMS for convenience as it is a £12 taxi ride to my home. But it is a lavatory of an airport. I dont like the huge amounts of shops that you are virtually forced through at Manchester or Heathrow to get to a pub, but sometimes MME doesnt even open for a swift half before a flight.
The thing that continues to get me effing and blinding is the machine which you need to feed six quid into for the pleasure of walking 30 feet to security. It is an absolute insult to every passenger who flies out of MME. I loathe it with a passion.
As for cost, its OK if going to AMS and onward, but there are very few flights which dont require you to change at AMS. I cannot actually think of any. Other lo-co airlines do better out of East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and even Manchester, although Jet 2 floor there on an early morning can be a horror.