Hey man,
I, too, was in your exact spot.
I decided to go with the T3i.
I barely use the kit lens, because I instantly bought a Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4, a nifty fifty (50mm f/1.8 Canon lens), a 10-22mm Canon lens, a 37mm f/2.8 MIR 1 lens, and a 58mm f/2.0 44-2 Helios lens.
I second the...