I spent weeks on this and I just got the D3000, it is advertised as the replacement for the D40 (499 at amazon right now). Same lens issues as the D40, but unless you have a slough of lenses that you can't use from another camera, you only have to worry about paying a little more on lenses when the time comes. You can always compare prices to be sure of the cost effectiveness, for this camera you need the AF-S lenses. I totally love focusing manually, there's this little skip in my heart when the picture clears up and you get just what you are looking for. I'm actually considering getting the manual 50mm just for the challenge of it!
It is half the price of the D90 and I don't know if I will out grow this camera too fast, but it is a chance I had to take because money really was an issue and I wanted a camera now. A lot of photographers keep this camera for their light camera so the ability to sell it down the road body only is totally there. That way you can keep the kit lens when you upgrade down the road. So far I'm totally happy with it no complaints.
So I say, the D3000 is a high end low end camera with enough perks to keep things exciting until a D90 is in reach. Hope that helps give you info on the D3000.
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michelle
I miss my camera 
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