You mean like smoked headlights, turn lenses, tail lights, bigger/heavier/shinier rims, VXC/rowhard "skid plates", vinyl wraps, or LED conversions?(Don't take that personally, that list includes several mods I've done myself.)
I do agree that a poorly executed install (which it sounds like you're most familiar with) is counter productive. But I don't get why you think this opening would be difficult to get your legs through?
As johnnyapollo posted it is all about taste and I understand this mod is very polarizing. But I don't think you can legitimately argue that it's dated or nonfunctional (though no improvement in functionality obviously).