It's really necessary to have DLC to enjoy the sims. All I had for years for the sims 2 was the double deluxe and I still had loads of fun. That was before I was old enough to get a job and bought the rest of the packs off ebay. I had just that one disc alone and it was enough to make me happy for four years....correction it was five years, I did the math wrong in my head.
But if you're anything like me you have to have various of hair styles, clothing, the supernatural, home decor, especially farm animals. You got to have it all. ^^;;