MacBook Pro buying advice—Solid State Drive or not? + Trackpad issues?

1.) What’s the story about Solid State drives. If I go for a common 7200 rpm SATA drive, because 128 GB tops (as seems to be the current solid state maximum) is a bit too far on the low end for me. Will I be able to replace the 7200 rpm SATA with a better Solid State, once they get beefier storage capacity?

2.) A second question, about buying a Late 2008 MacBook Pro. I am in a situation where I simply can’t wait for a purchase of a later one, as I’ve just been employed at a company where I really need this computer. So I’m concerned about the trackpad (even though I plan to mainly use a mouse). What’s the latest story on that issue? Is it finally being pinned down to either being a software/firmware related issue, or hardware ditto? Should I buy one of those horribly Apple Care Plans? I never understood why one would have to get those, but I don’t want to take any risk in the work situation I’m going to be, having to wait for weeks for a replacement unit, should the purchased one have a faulty trackpad or anything else.

3.) Last question, on the trackpad issue: Is there any reported user, really, who has NOT had any problems whatsoever, with the glitchy trackpad, that you can read about all over the Interweb? What’s my chances of getting a fully functional one?

Any advice would help. Thanks!