Originally Posted by
ozdude
Not disagreeing with you there, just saying that if the user knows the facts, they should not discount a quality low end cheap new Nikon just because it means they need to manual focus on older lenses. If a grand makes a difference then the 3100 or 5100 is still a good camera, even if you need to manual focus. If you want the auto, and can afford the 7100 or 7000, then go for it.
Nowadays, a D7000 body only costs about $100 more than a D5100 body, and $200 more than a D3200 body, which would be the choices for any significant video improvement over the D90. So, the ability for AF with older AF-D lenses basically costs $100. The D3200 is a less advanced camera - although it might meet the OP's needs. The bigger penalty between the D7000 and the D5100 might be the added size and weight of the D7000.
The D3100 and D5000 don't have any better video capability than the D90 does, you have to move forward 1 more generation in each to get that.