Our 32" Sony Bravia was purchased when the thin flatscreen LCD's were just getting to be the rage, and we paid nearly 10 times that at Circuit City....at least it's still in perfect condition.
With the little window shopping we've done so far, we've been pleasantly surprised at what 600 bucks or so will fetch.
Vid experts can go on and on about 4K. The advice about grabbing a temporary flat screen on craigslist is worth considering, but IMO only to buy you time until 1080p prices fall through the floor. Honestly, how much more clear does my TV need to be? Will my viewing experience be enhanced if I can see Robert Deniro's face pores more clearly? (hint - I don't want to)
I liken this clarity "race" to something I laughed at some years ago at a bicycle century ride. Two guys who were leaning on their $7,000 rides, and who were also clearly overweight, were debating the savings of ounces they could obtain by spending many additional hundreds on new carbon fiber component upgrades. I bit my tongue and savored the taste of blood while I did not tell them the focus of their effort could possibly be off a tad bit.
Until the good Lord reaches down from heaven to improve my eyes I think I will be just fine with 1080p and the money I didn't spend.