IMO, the guys who would buy a Mini-14 at that price are the type who would prefer a wood stock anyway. From what I see, the Mini-14 has a good reputation with a lot of casual shooters/hunters who don't spend a lot of time at the range. I don't think you see too many guys like that on gun forums.
The other thing for me is that I already have AR's and have way too many magazines for them. I doesn't make a lot of sense for me to invest in a Mini14.
Does anyone make a wood stock for an AR? Just wondering if you could make an AR look like a more traditional rifle. Put wood grips, wood (paneled?) stock, railed gas block, etc and it might work. :D Then again, it might look hideous.