I like Sims 4 for what it's is, not what it isn't. I play Sims 4 not comparing it to the older games and when I do that I have a lot of fun with it.
Even if I don't think it's better than Sims 3, but I think it does a lot of things better then Sims 3 as well.
There's a lot of things Sims 4 does great. I feel like the base game even if it lacks somethings (cars, which you don't really need) that are crazy (Firemen, Police officers and a color wheel) I still enjoy the unique things it does have in the base game. Such as the semi-active job, the new freelance jobs, gardening is better than ever, Toddlers are better than ever, CAS is better then ever, building is better then ever and I love the graphics.
I just wished it was neighborhood based open world, I've had a ton of fun with the game, I've been playing since 2017 and I love the game alot.
Now rather you should buy it or not? It depends, don't go in expecting Sims 3. It's more similar to Sims 2. I also find the base game while not the best to be one of the more unique base games.
Sims 4 tries new things and I like that. Just go in knowing what it has and what it doesn't. I'd recommend Sims 4, yes, However, I recommend you play the base game with mods and if you like it, then research and get some mods.