[CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] New guy needs Purchasing advice

I have done a little looking around at the various hobbyist/Modeling lathes
out there. I think that I am leaning toward the 9x20 (9x19) size variety
or possibly a 11x 26.

Some Background on me:
I am a recent mechanical engineering graduate who would like to be able to
make parts for hobbyist robotics, model aircraft, DIY brushless CD-ROM
motors, and custom machines like go-carts, battle bots, etc. My
fascination for machine tools began when I was in 7th grade. I saw an
article in a 1955 Popular Mechanics Do It Yourself Encyclopedia on how to
build a model lathe with brass bar stock, some CRS, angle iron, and a file.
This article fueled me to explore the DIY magazines of the 1940�s, 50�s,
and 60�s at the down town Minneapolis Library. I found several articles on
how to build your own lathe; unfortunately most of them required machine
tools to do so. In 8th grade I bought a covering of books covering how to
build a home made lathe. One design used truck pistons for the head and
tail stock with CRS for the bed and slides, the other book used aluminum
casting to produce the lathe. Back then I had a lot of time and ambition,
but no money or experience.

So now I would just like to buy one. I don�t think that buying a used
older American lathe is the best idea for me. I don�t want to buy it
on-line for the lack of being able to inspect it and the super expense of
shipping it. Do you think that one of these Chinese lathes would be a
good investment? I am a little concerned. Most people seem to agree that
the 7x10 or 7x12 import lathes have a better design then there 9x20 counter
parts.
Is this true? Something about the same size spindle bore, no low (back?)
gear, and no carriage reverse lever. I just think that the 7x 12 is too
small.

Are most these lathes the same, produced at the same factory but shipped to
different venders? Or, are they just similar copies of the �same� lathe?
Where did the original design come from?

I hear that there are also verities of the 9x20 that are not �clones� and
are a fresh design. Do these designs lack some of the down falls of the
�clone� lathes? What should I be consider about when trying to decide if I
want to buy one of these? These are hard to find, do you have any sources?

What do you guys think of Sherline lathes?
What do you guys think of 11x26 lathes?

Cost?
7x10, 7x12 $400 - $550 (max $650)
8x18 $600
9x20 $800 - $950
11x26 $1100

I would eventually like to CNC it too. Any advice?

Thank you,