custom pro with e-grip with fast hopper apeche,eggy,halo and good barrel

well, since all i've ever owned is Tippmanns, i'm obviously biased. but the point is, Tippmanns are the best bang for your buck if you are just getting into the game and you want an excellent entry-level marker----- 
First off: they are very durable and dependable.... you can get them wet, and they still work. you can drop them on the ground, and they still work. before every game, i put a few drops of oil in the ASA, screw on the tank, dry fire without the barrel 10-15 times, and then i'm ready to go. THAT'S IT. i only field strip the gun every 5 or so times i play, because, quite frankly, it doesn't need to be field stripped after every game. it's great.
Secondly: there are TONS of mods you can do to it to make it your own customized marker: milling, painting, and many other cosmetic changes are available to you, and they require little, if any, skill. (the search button is your friend). Also, if you want to make it faster or more accurate than a run-of-the-mill semi-auto marker, the response trigger, cyclone feeder, and a number of barrels are there (lapco bigshot, J&J Ceramic, flatline, and apex to name a few) to give you more firepower, and still keep it mechanical.
Thirdly: the biggest selling point for me was the fact that tippmann has perfected the art of a mechanical paintball marker that is both great for beginners who are just learning the basics, and also is able to challenge higher-end electronic guns. the 98 is one of the most, if not the most versatile marker out there. It can suit just about anyone's wants/needs for a paintball marker, and again, I stress that it is MECHANICAL. no batteries. no wires. no boards to fry. no worries. it's so simple to work on.

so to sum up, i'd go with a custom pro or an a-5. i have a 98 custom, and i've loved it ever since the first time i held it in my hands. after playing for a few years, and modifying it to my heart's content, i'm uber-happy with its performance, durability, and overall versatility. good luck with whatever choice you make!

edit: sorry for the long-winded post, sometimes i get carried away.....

p.s. this website is an excellent resource. if you have questions, search for them first (search button at the top), and if you can't find what you are looking for, then ask. there are many people (like myself) who are more than willing to help. the great thing about this forum is that it isn't full of vendors who throw out figures about what a certain product can do, and are trying to force you into buying a product before you have time to ask questions or think about it. this forum is full of real people who have tried and tested these products in the real world, and who know that they really work.