The MiniTowers are $1695 here in OZ... now considering the typical chinese quality and problems they've had.. I don't think its worth it.
Your better of buying a Giro III or DM-4 if you can be happy with push-to, or a Takahashi Teegul.
Either of those will get you something of quality, that you will be able to sell easily and hold its value when you upgrade.
If you want to get imaging... get the Takahashi Sky Patrol II for $1310 cheap and wack a FS-60 on it..
Look at this....
http://www.richardlovison.com/wp-con...pleiades-a.jpg
and this..
http://www.astronomyimages.com/canebfc60.jpg
and read this;
http://www.astrosurf.com/carreira/co...k_sp2_eng.html
and this through a translator;
http://www.astrosurf.com/carreira/co...ashi_fc60.html