Well, I can talk for myself, but my favourites and the top tier mon I get with a 100% IV are an instant evolve and power up to the max. Have done it with Tyranitar (from a raid), Gyrados, Rhydon and Vaporeon.
And also have done it with not top tier but personal favourites, like Poliwrath and Blastoise.
With that being said, rare candies for me are only useful for legendaries, the rest of candies you can get from catching, hatching and walking as a buddy and in the future you may regret spending all that rare candies if you get a high IV Zapdos, Mewtwo, etc...and you don't have enough of them to max it out.
Do what you most like, but keep in mind rarity and utility of the different mon.