Coasting is underrated around here for sure. The traction and low maint arguments for the practicality of fixed are largely bull****. There are too many other factors involved - bike setup and rider skill for starters.

As for cheaper, it depends on your priorities. Good freewheels ain't cheap, but good road and mountain wheels can be, especially in a few years when everyone has to have Dura Ace and XTR 12 speed. A cassette singlespeed kit and a tensioner and you're set. 120mm spaced "track" bikes and frames are wayyyyy overvalued right now anyway.

Oh, and I'm especially bored of the "zen" arguement. When I'm tired and cranky and freezing and riding home from work in the dark in a downpour over ****ty streets I'm really not in the mood to be "one with the road".