Patch 4.3 will introduce a ton of new features such as Void Storage, Transmorgification, 3 new 5-man instances, and the final raid for this expansion that will allow you to fight against Deathwing.

Does 4.3 hold enough gusto to bring you back to the playing table?

God no.

And I keep thinking that I want to play again, been VERY close so many times on purchasing a time card, but I keep telling myself how disappointing Cata was/is and I feel good on my decision to not buy a time card.

I think I'll come back the day the class homogenization is gone... 100% gone.
Also, Holy Power on paladins is F'ing lame. So god damn lame.

Where's the option for "still playing"? =P

But, what has been disappointing about Cata for you guys? I've been playing since vanilla, and while it's not BC, it's better than WotLK was. Lately, they have been pushing me really close to giving up with how their care level for hardcore raiders has been diminishing.

As far as class homogenization, it'll never be 100% fixed. If they go back to classes being super unique, "X class is better than I am! Why doesn't my class have X ability?" If they keep going the direction they are, "X class and X class can do everything I can! Why isn't my class unique?" So, lose/lose for them. The changes to healing were all good imo, except my mana tide. Why nerf my mana tide. =(