If you're planning on using the radio in the CB band and some of the freeband, get a CB. Don't waste time buying an HF rig or an export.
Get a Taiwan or Phillippines Cobra 148GTL, recap it, and put a good mic on it. Great performance, and with a recap, it'll last a long time. Can't go wrong with it.
Or, if you're looking for a base, that opens up many options, like the President Madison/Washington, Cobra 139XLR/142GTL, Cobra 2000GTL, Realistic TRC-457/458/490. Again, get a cap kit and recap it, and put a good mic on it and you're good to go.
~Cheers~