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I have a couple of NIVs, but it's my least favorite version. It's more of a paraphrase in some places and literal in others. Here's some examples:

Luke 9:44

KJV Let these sayings sink down into your ears...
ESV Let these words sink into your ears...
NASB Let these words sink down into your ears...
NIV 84 Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you...

Acts 26:28

KJV Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
NIV 84 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

Here the NIV and KJ versions differ sharply; King James has Agrippa making a quip. I can imagine Festus and Bernice standing nearby snickering.
In the NIV account he asks a question, which I interpret as a scornful demand, as if he we raising his voice.

“KJV Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

I like this rendition of the verse better too. Mostly because it provides the foundation for George Whitefield’s wonderful sermon “The Almost Christian”.

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!