Replying to Help with Video Camera Purchase

I'm looking at upgrading to a pro video camera, for ski videos, school projects, and some other independent projects. I've taken some film making summer camps and I'm fair at editing, I used to have Final Cut Pro 4, but thats pretty much useless on my new comp.

I'm gonna get Final Cut Express and a new camera to replace my shitty handycam. I want something pro, I'm getting wet dreams about http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101845, but I'm way to broke to afford that.

Whats the down low on finding used pro gear, I would like something that records to a hard drive or card because I'm super tired of having to load the video at speed. I would say my budget is very low... Sub 400 for sure. I would settle for something that does tape if thats the only way I'll get manual focus though.

Any tips? I would guess that news stations or someplace has to upgrade often enough... Must be lots of old 2006 - 07 gear out there.