Well, I didn't think that the age thing was really all that important, I mean he's 900 years old anyway... but Christopher Eccleston was only interested in doing the first season, so they made sure that they had someone else ready to play him.
The whole kissing thing was a bit disappointing but, There was a set of lines that made it almost worth it...
Human Doctor: You made me.
Proper Doctor: Exactly, you were born in battle, full of blood and anger and revenge. Remind you of someone? That's me when we first met, and you made me better. Now you can do the same for him.
Rose: But he's not you.
Proper Doctor: He needs you, that's very me.
It was mostly that last line "He needs you, that's very me."
Watching him leave again like that though was so heart wrenching... But he was right, She'll be good for the Human version of him.