Nikon wide angle lens suggestions?

I'm looking for a wide-angle lens for my Nikon D300. I'm torn between a fast prime, such as the 24mm f/2.8D and a newer 18-55mm VR zoom. I'm very much a fan of the sharpness, clarity and good low-light performance one can get from a prime. However, I'm largely used to shooting with a D60 and/or D200.In the past year I've upgraded to a D300 and all I've shot with was a 50mm f/1.8. The first DSLR I had (D60) came with the 18-55mm VR in a kit. At the time, I generally liked the lens, but I remember having very little freedom to crop my images, without noticing a significant loss of sharpness. I sold that to get my D200 almost two years ago.

I'd like to get a wider lens, preferably something in Nikon's D or G series. I can't afford a fast, professional zoom such as the 24-70 f/2.8 or 17-55 f/2.8. I understand the 18-55mm would be much more versatile, but I've come to be somewhat of a nitpicker for great clarity and sharpness straight out of camera, has anyone used this lens with the D300? I only base my experiences on using it with a D60 with (somewhat) poorer ISO performance than the D300.

24mm isn't a wideangle lens on a cropped sensor - 18mm is.

The lens will perform the same whatever camera you put it on. The 18-55mm is cheap. I suggest you get it if you can't afford the faster standard zooms just as an all-purpose lens when you don't know what you'll encounter. VR will make your images sharper so it's worth having. Look to get the 24mm f/1.8 as your main wide angle lens. You know that is what you really need anyway.