If you've never modelled before, I'd strongly suggest doing some learning with somethng you aren't paying several hundred for. As in, trying out some of the various demos out there, or going to a free modeller like Wings. I have both c4D and CS3, and to my eyes Cinema has more tools and more ways to go about something. Carrara offers a smaller tool set but those tools are easier to learn (and possibly more comfortable to work in for most people).