if you have the time (like you say you do) wait and check out the mark 5. If you want THE recto tone though, i would check out the Roadster for the versatility you describe. No other recto aside from the RK can touch the cleans, the amp is over all smoother so good leads can be had and it still has that signature recto tone. Either way your looking at $2000 for either of those.
if your looking for something more in the bargain bin, i think if you wait you'll start to see some mark ivs dip under 1k when those people move to mark 5s. Also as far as rectos the rectoverbs are great as well as the tremoverbs. Both are smoother like the roadster and the cleans are pretty good as well. You can grab either of those under 1k as well if you look around.
IMO if your looking recto, want a great clean, supreme versatility and have the money, get the Roadster (used ive seen them around 1500... maybe even less as people seem to need money with the financial crisis). If you just want to get heavier tones but not necassarily recto tones i'd look at the Mark 5. Just my opinion though.
