Quote - Nio one's mentioned hexagon 2.2.. it's also inexpensive, but has some great modelling features.

I use lightwave myself here, but am slowly learning Modo in hopes of replacing lightwave with it as my main modeler.

I agree almost completely. I've been using LW Modeler for several years now, and modo for about two years. I don't make things for sale here, but the idea is the same...
But, modo is still kind of quirky, for lack of a better word. The interface constantly reverting and changing to whatever it feels like is a bit annoying.
Hexagon, to me, looks like it was designed after modo. I tried it over a year ago, and couldn't do anything with it, since all it really wanted to do was crash. I'm sure it's gotten better by now though.
Back to modo and LW though, I'm going to keep updating each. I find that LightWave Modeler and modo are an awesome combination together. I usually have them both open and shuffle the model I'm working on at the time back and forth. What LW lacks, modo has, and vice versa. modo's edge tools are particularly well-advanced over LW's, as is modo's UV mapping. But. the world of LW has created a whole lot of free plugins to accomplish the things LW itself doesn't do well or at all. Unfortunately, most of them won't work in 64 bit.

Another thing about modo is its render engine. Modo 301 has a fantastic render engine and an equally fantastic preview render. 
Bottom line is, for someone interested in modeling with a GREAT modeling program, and who doesn't mind spending a bit of cash, I'd recommend modo 301 over anything else I've ever used. Plus as I mentioned, it has an extremely advanced render engine, more than capable of being used for professional work.
Only downside I can see to modo is it's still only available in 32-bit for now.