I know how you feel Russ.
Nintendo wanted to charge me 90 bucks for a replacement DS, because they don't cover hinge cracks anymore for some reason.
My mom offered to get me a new DS for my birthday though, so it's all ok. (although I can never falthom HOw I got TWO hinge cracks, when I've been trating my DS really really carefully since my LAST huinge crack incident.)
Oh, and as tempting as the DSi sounds, I'll pass. Apparently, using an R4 doesn't work on those. And although I doubt them, I've heard rumors of bricked DSis due to flashcarts.