Simply think s Nitrous as liquid forced induction. Would you add a turbo, or a supercharger to your car? If the answer is no, then there you go. As for the $500 system, go for it. I make very good money cleaning up after the people who like to cut corners. A proper system with the correct DME reprogramming would be ok but when you start dropping $$$$$ on bottle refills you will come to realize that it isn't cheep.
We, just for kicks installed a 250 shot on my sons Eagle Tallon, (it was on it's last legs anyway) Man that was a fun 150 miles.
The car is yours, the choice is yours, the results are yours too. I wouldn't do it to my car, but that is just me, and I would be staying in the "nause" cause I am a speed freak.