supposedly this is a new kit. Has anyone seen it?

Can I get your opinions on it?

Im thinking of getting it and doing a small Afghan war dio. I dont want to go rivet counting accurate, but I dont want it looking like a pile o' doodoo.

Not new at all, it's a DML reboxed kit.
It's not that bad but has some flaws (wrong oriented roof hatches, wrong placed vision blocks for the troop compartment, ill-placed hatch on the glacis ...)
Have a look at Jacques' site which displays SP Designs correct upper hull kit which could help correcting your own kit.
I can't comment on the mine-clearing rake. I have this kit (DML one) in my stash too.

Olivier

I've got an extra one kicking around somewhere if you need one.