Ive never had a problem with my AR in all the use I have given it. I think a lot of people with little experience give the AR a bad reputation as not being able to make it through a mag without jamming. Ive seen AKs jam, especially with some of the higher capacity crap mags. I do agree that the AR can get extremely expensive fast. Value though is something only the buyer can determine and what may be vastly overpriced to some may be a nights dinner to others. The only thing I will say the AR has been overrated about is in some of the extreme claims the biggest fanboys make. Beyond that though they are a ton of fun, are reliable as anything else with minimal upkeep, and pretty accurate. The only other thing is value which really depends on each individual buyer. I think a lot of exotic sports cars are overpriced but that doesn't make them overrated.
If I had to say one rifle that was overrated it would be the AK, or at least the AK's ability to never ever need maintained. I think they take bad press when it comes to accuracy since most people run the cheapest surplus crap ammo through them possible but in all reality I have personally seen more malfunctions with an AK type firearm than the AR. I directly believe this to be due to the fact many people with an AK can go with no maintenance forever and not due to the rifle itself. Not so much an issue with the capability of the AK, just the attitude of the users.
If I had to say one rifle that was overrated it would be the AK, or at least the AK's ability to never ever need maintained. I think they take bad press when it comes to accuracy since most people run the cheapest surplus crap ammo through them possible but in all reality I have personally seen more malfunctions with an AK type firearm than the AR. I directly believe this to be due to the fact many people with an AK can go with no maintenance forever and not due to the rifle itself. Not so much an issue with the capability of the AK, just the attitude of the users.