Hmm, I have the older DVD boxset, which I only bought recently because I, too, am broke, and it was extremely discounted after the new release. I don't have Blu-Ray, so I didn't figure I'd just buy the new DVD set when it was already outmoded. Went for price, and I'd actually never seen the movies before the prior DVD set.
I looked at all the links you sent out, Chainsaw, and I have one question: how come the subtitles only appear in the old Region 1 DVD but not in the old Region 2 or the new version? Are the subs not burned into this new version (which, if you've noticed my opinions in the Star Wars releases)? If not, it automatically loses several points in my book, better colors or not... Hell, I'm colorblind anyway! =P