I have played both Sims 2 and 3. I like Sims 2 better.
@ RoMunroe:
Are those skins (e.g., Wolverine, Storm) available for download to use in Sims 2?
Yes they are. Wolverine for instance, every piece is its own thing: mask, head covering, suit, even the claws, if you can get past the "blue blink" problem where some accessories just blink blue after you get out of the CAS. i usually went to a mirror, put it on and off and on again and then it worked for my "photoshoot".
http://w11.zetaboards.com/SynapticSims_Lair/index/You should go to this site and snoop around

its not that active but most links still work and Syn has even updated ones " like storms tiara, which i was craving for!" *dramatic hand to the forehead*
I really like Sims 3, but I agree they do look bloated. But I spend like literally 2 hours making 4 people no joke, every outfit, perfect. And then when I get into the game Im like welp alright I am bored!
That was my problem lol. Once I found out that you can do these sorts of things with the games ( modding, meshing and etc) the game in itself took a back seat. I downloaded a pretty nice replica of the xavier institute ( seen in the first pic although i distorted that quite a bit lol). All the new mutant costumes ( not exact costumes but pretty close). the phoenix costumes were my personal fave.
I saw a sims 3 emma once....meh, i just think sims 2 is unbeatable in that department.