Is it wrong to download the latest version of Maya (or some other similarly expensive software) if you can't afford to buy it?
Yes! Of course it is!There's plenty of cheaper alternatives.
Same example if stealing an Audi TT because you can only afford a Nissan Micra. Granted cars have a higher manufacturing cost after the initial R and D but the principle remains the same.
Personally, I am 100% against the commercial use of downloaded software.
Well that's down to the companies that make the software, 3D Studio have GMax which only works with itself? Surely that's a perfectly reasonable option?