The reason I got into cichlids (I don't know if I can be considered 'into' them as I don't have too many yet) is because I got my chromidotilapia finleyi by accident when getting a fish delivery.
However, they're hard to care for if you're a novice, and the money and equipment and space that's required is also a deterent for someone like me.
Still, it's a really good way to invest time and energy. And there are hundreds of different species of cichlids to choose from, so that makes it even more appealing.