Most models are done with polys I think.....the general feeling I get is that polys are just easier to work with. I have heard some say that they like modelling inanimate objects in nurbs and organic in polys and visa versa. Really I think you should try modelling the same thing, one nurbs and one poly.....remembering that sometimes there are more than one way to do things in maya, every model has it's creator's style

Saiyan