Well -- I hate to spend your money... HA!
But seriously -- step up if you can and get the rebuilt D7000. Ken Rockwell says it's one of the best cameras EVER Nikon has done - and I'd agree with him. Not that I know anything - but using this camera for what I like to do - it's the best and easiest and takes the best photos of all the Nikons I've had.
The frames per second are faster - and you WILL use this feature because you like car stuff! If you have kids or dogs or anything that moves - you'll love this feature.
The video already has a built in microphone (you can add stereo). It's nice to have a great quality video camera - in your hand... that also takes fabulous pictures.
For $16 you can buy a wireless remote.
Features on cameras are complicated - most you'll never use... but the ones you WILL use are important! This stuff is expensive - you don't want to be trading in and buying a new body... save that money for lens or tripods or flashes.
Photography is one of those things you'll either be hooked on or you won't care. Easier to sell a nice rig if you end up not caring.
