I only had guinea pigs once. I found them lacking in personality. I had a fish with more personality than the guinea pigs (ate, squeaked, pooped.. that was about it).

Hamsters now... But those I am not allowed here for good reasons. (Australia has had far too many 'imported animals outcompete locals' and is not in favour of any more). Oddly enough we do have guinea pigs here. Possibly because they're too stupid to survive the feral cats.