Jowel, I remember when I first got my 8" SN on an equatorial mount and I wanted something as big as my budget would go but within weeks, I realised for my skill level at the time, the 8" was an overkill. Yes I was astounded to what I could see but I stopped using it because it was too cumbersome to put in the car (and care for it) and the counterweights on a regular basis.
Even though I now spend a lot of time on it since I got a DSLR as a present recently, the scope really sat idle for some years.
In hindsight, a smaller 6"SN or even better a 4" refractor would have got me off to a better start back then.
Just some words from someone who is only in the last year really hitting top gear with my scope and mount which is about 6yrs old.
One more thing to remember, which ever way you decide, you're not going to be dissappointed unless you buy all combinations and set them up at the same time. It's like the old LCD vs Plasma - in the end, it doesn't really matter to 95% of people because once you take it home, you have no other comparison and you'll adapt to your selection.
Enjoy this fantastic science and good luck.
Cheers,
Darrin...