Before you get those big $ signs in your eyes, you had better start with a free modeling app such as Wings3D, anim8tor or blender. See if you even like to model. Then try all the demos of all the modeling apps you can get you hands on and spend a few days on each one to find the modeling app that fits you. That is the most important thing in modeling. Does not matter what anyone else uses or thinks. You have to find Your modeler of choice. Believe me, you will know which one that is when you use it. It may even be one of the free ones and you will not need to spend any money for a long time.

I use Modo 301. See, everyone here is using something different and thinks thiers is the best. Which it is, for us.