I for one agree with Peppie. Just because a toy is 30 years old does not mean it can't be played with! I'm sorry, if I buy Peachy for $5 from someone here or off ebay, I don't care how old it is or how mint condition it is, I'm not going to morn it if it gets damaged from play/storage/whatever. Obviously if G1 ponies are selling for that low, there's still plenty of them to go around.
MLP will always be toys first to me. Call me a Toy Story-angelist if you will, but I believe toys are meant to be (and enjoy being!) played with.
Of course I do agree that rarity factors in, but if I saw a chewed on/marked up Repunzel in the hands of a child who obviously loves her, I would just be happy for her.
I hope you find a great toy, whatever its age and/or value, to share with your daughter, Peppie. Buying her a Repunzel-themed custom to go with the Tangled dvd would be a GREAT gift!