I must agree. Naruto Shippuden makes the first part of Naruto seem like trash. I still don't think Shippuden can be compared to DBZ but that is to be discussed in a different thread at a different time.
I am definitely a member of this Club. My favorite Naruto character would have to be Sasuke Uchiha. He's always been number one to me and always will. Number two for me? Itachi Uchiha is my second and then I would say a tie at third between Madara Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Neji Hyuuga.