you might want to double you're budget, not sure but i think Zbrush and C4d and shade and carrera are about twice you're current budget, personally i am debating between Zbrush and C4d.

You might find a deal about still if you just bought poser that might give you money off on one of those programs, most likely shade or carrera. i think both of those have a beginner to pro version, so the lower version might be in your price range.