Why do you like the f1.4 more? From what I've read, the 1.8 is sharper, has less distortion, and cheaper.
In what way does it not match up with pre-AI lenses? I'm not entirely familiar with Nikon's lens history. And I have zero interest in flash, in fact I'd put the FE2 under the category of having too many features I'll never need.
I like the f/1.4 over the f/1.8 for the extra speed. It's there when you need it that way. It was at f/2 most of the time indoors for me, but it was nice to have that extra there when I needed it.
Another vote in favor of FE.
I've been shooting it for just over a year now and I love it.
Split prism focus, Aperture priority mode, and a match-needle center-weighted meter are, for me, the most important features that every camera should have.
I do wish it had a better shooting grip and built in flash of the F80.