you know what, just buy whatever, stop looking at reviews, enjoy your new camera, and use it to its limit.
you wont have any regrets that way, whatever model you buy.
according to the link previously given, it WAS a choice between D40, D80, and D200. the D40 was used for everyday photos, and the D200 was used for the serious photo ops. so yeah, the D80 was mostly left alone.
but if you only had to choose 1, then the D80 was the best compromise.
i'd still buy the D80 because of the much cheaper price due to the onset of the D90.
screw more features! im seeing that the D90 will only replace the D80 as the best compromise body, but will still get neglected over the D40 and the D200.