At some risk, I have the 5008MGA. I bought it for the reason you listed, it's cost, and I found poor reviews on the 10" model, have they up graded the 10" model in the past couple of years? If Makita fashioned a 10" saw after the 8" I would have one.

Almost everyone else who uses it has problems with the locking levers coming undone, especially the depth setting, which can be an issue. I have only experienced that once and it was after someone else had been using it. I think the others are not locking it tight enough. Something to be mindful of, the caming action on the lock lever is adjustable, something I have played with once to help the problem.

I like the little light, too.

Tim