That's the same with me. I'd rather play as a character I like than one that people say is strong. I'm a big Fire Emblem fan, and I don't care what others say. I'm playing as Ike.
I heard he received a speed buff at the Jumpfesta demo, but I could definitely be wrong. I know that he's still powerful, though, and many of his attacks have good reach. I'm happy everything worked out.
At best, you can try to master a slow character such as Roy and/or Ganondorf in Melee since you're maining Ike. Then again, our views are similar and I'm guessing the first thing you'll do, like me when you first play Brawl is head to Training mode and try to master him in average combat that way? At least, I remember that's the first thing I did when I got Melee, it is the intended thing to do afterall.
Ike is so god **** unique in this game, he definetly doesn't remind me of Roy and, he easily turned off my interest in Marth because of the Bulldozer he is. A FE character in Brawl that's very slow yet very powerful, more powerful than most of the powerhouse giants such as DK and Bowser? I'm there!
A speed buff is something that makes you wonder if its what's truly on Sakurai's mind for balance, I'm not complaining here though.