You say you are looking further down the road then I would be looking to the 3808 for it's update/upgradeability, more HDMI inputs, etc. If it is out of your price range then the biggest feature differences, IMO, between the 09 and 08 is the Audyssey advancements with Dynamic volume etc. If you feel these latest Audyssey features are not worth a new 09 then get the 08.

Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70