Many years ago, I bought my new-to-me USA Fender Precision bass, for the princely sum of £150.
Maybe it was the sign of the times, and my young age, but it never lost the wow factor for me, as in 'wow, I own a proper USA made Fender bass!' which of course made me love playing it, and want to play and gig it more.
For me, I don't think I could ever have the 'wow factor' from a MIM.