I loved Maxis taking full part in the game. I hear they are coming back though, and taking part in the KPST. I think the default town, Pleasantview was more interesting that SV. I loved the biographies. I miss being able to paint my own custom paintings. In fact, I will go back and play TS2 every now and then, and Darren Dreamer always paints Polanco in my games.
I miss my favorite couple Dustin Broke and Angela Pleasant. I miss breaking Jacob Martin and that gawd-awful Sandra Roth (I hated her with a purple Passion along with Mary Sue Pleasant!), and getting Jacob and Jules back together.
I miss the Pleasant Family (why couldn't there be a younger Jeff, Diane, Daniel and Jennifer in SV, RV, or later in the game?), the Burb Family, Darren Dreamer (he kind of reminds me of Rose from 2 1/2 Men), Brandi Broke, The Curious Brothers, Johnny Smith, Olive Spector, Cassandra Goth, Alexander Goth and his Golden Retriever, Sheenius.
Most importantly, I miss Goopy GilCarbo.
PS: I even invented a new couple in TS2 a while back.