I'm an old-school JRPGer and there are a few good reasons I love turn-based combat, but honestly, I love to watch combat like it's a show that I'm directing. I love that I can have time to think and pick actions, then just sit back and watch it play out. I didn't like Action Turn Based hybrids but it at least gave me a little time to think. There are so many RPGs now that have unnecessary, complicated combat with insane special effects on screen that when I do have a moment to watch combat, it's a blur of colors. I've been playing Paper Mario Origami King lately and while I do have a few grips, at least I get my turns before the enemy. Also, soundtrack for PMOK is insanely good.
All that said, I first JRPG was FF4 and my favorites are all NES/SNES Final Fantasy games; though I like 7 and 9 too.