Stainless vs. Mild, My little dilemma... Options

[CilverSeliST205]

I am about buy an exhaust for my car (3", mandrel, dp-back, over axle,), and I still can't make up my mind wheter to get it in stainless or mild... this is what i know about the two

Stainless:
+ Way more corrosion resistant than mild steel
+ Usually weights less because pipes can be thiner
+ Nice shiny finish
+ Will outlast the car
- Significantly more expensive
- Can be brittle when heat-cycled (subject to cracking but IMO should affect the DP only)
- Higher pitch of exhaust sound (tends to be "drony")

Mild:
+ Less expensive
+ Deeper sound
+ More tolerant of extreme heat
- Will last approx. 2-4 years of all-season driving unless ceramic coated
- Ceramic coating will bring the price up to cost of stainless
- usually heavier and less corrosion resistant than stainless

I can get mild for about $500 or stainless for about $750
Please help me make up my mind

[CilverSeliST205]

I can afford it, its only about $200 more but my question is it really worth it? alot of people tell me that mild will be good enough and should last, if anything it will be my downpipe that will give up first, etc. so its not really a matter of if I can affor it but SHOULD I buy it... if i go mild ill have extra $200-250 towards PowerFC fund