'MP fever' may simply be down to the fact that it's a very, very nice camera, and not to hype at all. My last new Leica before the MP was a M4-P. The M6 didn't excite me much (and besides I couldn't afford one) and I was not at all keen on the M8ttl with the backwards shutter speed dial. I am consitutionally opposed to unnecessary battery dependence (i.e. in film cameras) and therefore remained immune to the M7's charms. But when the MP came out, I thought, "There is another camera to use for decades, like the M4-P" (which I had had for over 25 years at that point).
Cheers,
R.