Depends. I have a chinchilla and he's the best pet I ever had. Chins don't have a smell like ferrets or guineas, they pee only in their cage, are smart as two-year-old kids, and have the softest fur in the world. They sleep during the day and are most active at night, making them good pets for people who are out of the house most of the day. Downsides: they constantly chew anything they can get in their mouths, plus need at least two hours out of the cage per day to exercise (which means you have to chin-proof any room you let them run around in), poo constantly (but the poos are dry, small, and odorless, a Dustbuster picks them up easily) and need a much larger cage than other small animals (think 3'x'3x3' minimum, though chin websites will tell you to get one taller so they can jump around more). Chins today are pretty easy to feed, just make sure they have constant fresh water, timothy hay, and the proper pellets, such as Oxbow, Mazuri, or American Pet Diner. Above all avoid giving fresh fruits or vegetables, as this can cause fatal diarrhea, and stay away from feeds like Charlie Chinchilla which are full of unhealthy items like corn, peanuts, and raisins.
Chins have very distinct personalities to go along with their intelligence. Some are just little cuddlebugs, and some are standoffish. The best way to tame a chinchilla is to get a young one, no younger than 6 months old, to socialize it with humans. My Neville will jump on my lap when I tell him, "Treat! Treat!" but he does not like to be picked up at all. And most importantly, make sure you have a vet nearby who specializes in exotics, preferably one who has had a lot of dealings with chinchillas.
The best forum to get information on chins, guineas, hedgehogs, and other small animals is
www.chins-n-quills.com 
