I don’t disagree with you that the NIV has it’s issues. The 1984 are earlier versions are way better in my opinion that the newer revisions.
However none of them are perfect even if they were we wouldn’t know it because we don’t have the original autographs to compare. But like you I have a bunch of translations for study. I generally stick with the NKJV, the KJV and the NASB. Lately and I don’t know if it’s because I’m lazy or another reason but I usually don’t use anything other than the NKJV.
Happy reading!
As long as it’s an essentially literal version (and the NKJV is) I think one should go with the one they enjoy the most - it makes it more likely they’ll spend time in scripture.