I have the D80 and I've tried out the D60...for the extra bucks I'd get the D80...it's a great piece of equipment and will last you for a long time.
"Long Time" is a relative term. Back with film bodies a camera might last 25+ years. I have a Nikon F2 made in the 70s It works fine.
But I think digital bodies are like computers. It is likely your current computer could last 15 years, maybe you would have to replace some parts but it could last that long. But would you want to be using a 15 year old computer? Not likely. Same here the D80 could last a decade but you will not really want to use it that long. Five years seems to be about right before you will want to replace it.
It really depends on you, Say if you actually want to get serious and purchase many lenses. But if you just trying it out then I would really just get the D60 because even then most lenses are AF-S now anyways. I don' think the lens issue is as big as some people make it.
No "most" lenses are
not AF-S. Not only that, but worse some of the best most usfull lenses are not AF-S. And very few of the used lenses you might want would be AF-S. The AF-S lineup to stacked with f/5.6 zooms.
You can actually save money by buying the D80 if you think you might like a 80-200 lens. A good used non AF-S 80-200 sells for $650 to $450. if you have the D60 you'd be forced into getting the more expensive version of the lens
I always tell people to look at the TOTAL system they might want down the road.
