At this point I would even go see the 1997 SE, because all the real stupid shit didn’t go down until the 2004 release, that was the first time the theatricals and the SEs weren’t on an even playing field quality wise.
You’re not the first person to say something along these lines but I must say I just don’t get it.
All of the really stupid shit was there from the start (Jabba, Greedo [both of which got better in later versions], ronto and other Mos Eisley shenanigans, Luke screaming [removed later] ESB star destroyer bs, Jedi effing Rocks, sarlacc, etc.).
All 2004 added was new Emperor, new Boba, and new Hayden. Buuuut who really cares about new Emperor (some might call it an improvement), new Boba is pretty much the same as old Boba (I know I’ll get shit for this but it’s true), and Hayden is weird and doesn’t make sense but Shaw never made sense either.
People hate 2004 because it adds PT elements and everyone hates the PT. Buuuut they’re really nothing compared to the stain that the original SE left.
All the bad changes in 1997 combined (there are not that many that are bad anyway) cannot match Hayden insertion in terms of badness.