ama1997,
I'd agree with every thing you said, I'd just add a word of caution the DX format cripples the full frame cameras. A d700 that shoots at 6 mp and has little crop lines in the centre of the frame is very frustrating.

The rumour mill is speculating that the replacement for the d300s and d7000, will also be full frame. This also follows nikon's pattern of the last ten years. I think that in 6 years all the advanced and professional and likely some the entry will be full frame. Canon also looks to be heading that way too. With this in mind I'd avoid the DX format lens if you are planning on using them for a long time.

VR is a great asset on zooms and on long primes, but on the macro it doesn't work. The manual for the 105mm vr macro says "As the reproduction ratio increases from 1/30x, the effects of vibration reduction gradually decrease." I use this macro and the 60mm macro a lot (usually 4 hours weekly) The lens is great, but if you are shooting anything close the VR is useless and as a 105 mm portrait lens it has quite a flat field and can have a bit of an odd look in some cases. I own the 105mm DC f/2 so I use the macro as a macro and the result is the VR on that lens is off 90% of the time. I use it all the time on the 300 2.8vr and and 500mm 4 vrII. It works really well I have hand held the 300 to a 1/60 with on problems.

I'd recommend the 60mm over the 105mm especially on the DX cameras.

The I'd also recommend the 50mm but the 1.8 is a great lens (but for the stupid plastic mount on the new one, find a used one) But the 1.4d is an awesome lens and on a half frame body one heck of a nice portrait lens! The 35mm F1.4 is great but soft wide open and the price tag is huge, The f2 is just as good and is sharp wide open. That would be my pick.

Zooms are a you get what you pay for lens. But good is lots of cash. Usually i'd say buy what you can afford and what you will use. But look at prime lenses as they can be cheaper with as good or better optics.