1). For any players (new or old), it would benefit to have a demonstration mode (no stats can increase or money... just a check it out mode).
2). As for the "PAY TO PLAY", I am not a fan, but do understand that developers need to eat to (don't get greedy).
3). All the changes that have happened in the past 6 months are great improvements, now let them set in. The time it takes to get components for these changes is way to long (unless you are willing to pay $1000's (which loses players. Causing game to die and once you lose them, they DON'T come back).

That's my two cents worth.