Going the "used bow" route is a great way to figure out what you like in a bow without having to take a second mortgage on the house. You can resell a used bow without taking much if any of a loss, especially considering the knowledge gained.
Long term, my favorite longbow is a Robertson Stykbow. There are lots of very good bows available and I've owned and shot many, but my old Robertson Mystical is still my best. And figuring that Dick has been doing this since the late '70's and you don't see many of his bows for sale, I must not be the only one to like his bows.