I have an appreciation for the teachings of both Jesus and Siddharth Gautama. But when it comes to imagery, I just like Buddha's style.
The central focal symbol of Christianity is Jesus on a crucifix dying for our sins. Even in the pictures in which he is alive, Jesus is depicted as very solemn and even sad. Imagery in Christianity is generally focused on the negative aspects of life, constantly focusing on the suffering we are to have reverence for. While this helps us to remember the less fortunate at times, it often leads to a negative and punitive worldview. We always focus on what people do wrong and thus offer less room to do what's right, often equating good deeds with futility in this morbid world.
Buddha on the other hand is always smiling, sometimes laughing with his hands in the air. Nevermind that the Chinese added a couple hundred pounds to his belly. The guy's a fat jolly soul who reminds us of the joy life can offer even as we give up on our excessive wants. While some may see this as drawing away from the horrors of the world, it is often used as a tool to do good works selflessly and enjoy the process.
True, religion is all in what you make of it. Buddhism and Christianity have both led to good and both been used to oppress. But I just think a happy avatar is more productive.
While I'm at it I'll marvel in the strange similarities between the two religious icons. Jesus was born a Jew in Israel and created a new religion that became one of the world's major ones but is in the minority in his own birthplace. Siddharth Gautama was born in India as a Hindu and created a new religion that became one of the world's largest but is in the minority in his birthplace.

He was born a Jew in Galilee. Israel was a memory of the Hebrew's ancient past and a modern resurrected state in 1947. Jesus was a pious Jew who lived the life of a cynic and stoic (original definitions here). The sayings attributed to him in what was to become known as the New Testament are many and varied. Many serious modern scholars of this period of antiquity believe that most of the man's "teachings" were made up by devoted followers. All of the miracles including the ressurection, John, the theological teachings of Paul: not original. You might want to read one of the ancient texts that was eliminated from consideration while the process of compiling the NT was underway. It's called The Gospel of Thomas. It may be the oldest of the writings. The closer to the source... the fewer distortions in the message.
Jesus didn't found a new religion. He was a Jew and a serious thinker; philosophically not unlike Buddha. In brief, Christianity is a confluence of the passionate efforts of Paul and the practical dictates of Constantine.