If you can get one for $100-150, with a 18-55vr lens sure - but I wouldn't pay more than that. As everyone else has said, it's sensor shows it's age. D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, even an older D90 would be a good starter if the price was right.

I usually suggest staying with-in 2 generations or 3 years from release of a camera. Get much more outside of that and the dated tech starts becoming annoying.

It can do, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. There are several generations of new cameras out as don pointed out. You can find D5000 or D5100's for a very good price now...much better sensors and performance.

Over a year ago I bought a used D40 for about $250 just to play with it and then gave it away to a relative. It is an ok camera and certainly fully capable of producing many of the photos you see on PAD. Remember PAD is only showing a 0.5 megapixel image and the D40 produces a 6 megapixel image so an original D40 image is automatically downsized by your computer in the background to display the image on PAD. However, if starting into photography I would suggest you purchase a D3200 rather than a D40 simply because the D5200 is two generations newer in technology. If a D3200 is outside of your price range look for a D3100 which is one generation newer in technology than a D40. The "kit" lens of 18-55mm which usually comes with a D40, D3100, or D3200 is fully adequate to start with.

Here are some links for the D40.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=6066
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=5705
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=60

I think some others will comment on the generic issue of purchasing a D40, but no one can really comment on a specific camera for sale.

I want to get into photography, but i got lost, already, on my starting point.
I found this D40 for exchange and i was wondering , since it's an old model, if it's worth getting it.