I started with Redhat 9.0 and Linspire 4.5 about 2 years ago and that is what got me where I am at today with Linux, but I would really like to know how linspire has progressed as it moved to 5.0.

Another thing, why can't I download 5.0? I purchased 4.5, do they want me to pay for an upgrade as well? I would hardly consider doing that since there are good free versions out there that are just as easy to use.

Well Linspire 5.0 (or "Five-O" as they call it) is based on Debian SID (I think) where 4.0 and 4.5 were based on Sarge (testing at that time) so IF I remember this correctly the software in Five-O is more recent.
And offcourse there is some new stuff in Five-O like added hardware support, a new look for the GUI, they moved from LiLo to Grub, etc. etc.
There should be a changelog somewhere on their site.

About not beeing able to download the latest version, are you a CNR member ?
Linspire only offers Upgrades of their OS for GRATIS to people who are a CNR Member (actually CNR-Gold now since they also have a cheaper membership now that only includes software and not OS upgrades). but stuff like security fixes should be available to all users and not only the CNR members.

If you have a CNR membership or if you think you have the right to get Five-O for free you can always contact Kendall and ask about it (just include your login, that's the email you used to sign-up when you bought Linspire) Kendall might not react during the weekends but mostly he has account problems (is that's what this is) fixed in a short time.