If you are new to tanks and are buying one because you would like to try it out then Iwould reccomend a Heng Long vehicle, one with smoke, sound, metal gears, sprockets and tracks. Luckily you are in the USso these can be had for not a lot of money. Matomart can sell you (as well as others) the complete package with the battle system fitted in some models.

I don't have any Tamiya RC tanks simply due to their cost, plenty of static models though. In the UK the cost is quite a bit higher than the US. My only grumble about my HL units is that during a 30 minute session per tank I can expect to spend 5 minutes or more on field repairs. The Tiger's metal drive sprokets split from the bolt backing off (easy fix with thread lock or a better spring washer but not painted yet so no fix) and the Panzer III throws a track pin (plastic tracks wear around the pins quite quickly, I have metal tracks to replace). Once I fix these the only other thing is the sound, especially on the Pnz III is a little basic. Tamiya sound is so much better it is almost sexual.

So in a nutshell the advice for a new tank commander would be as follows, work out what tank model you would like, Panther, Jagdpanther, Tiger etc. Buy a different model of the Heng Long range, Tamiya doesn't do a Pnz III or STuG III for example and both these HL tanks are very good. Use the HL tanks to get a feel for the hobby and to test if you have the time and enjoyment to carry on. If you do and want to move on, then consider about buying a Tamiya kit.

The OP hasn't really mentioned a budget or a cash flow problem so the cost is largely irrelevant.

Resale value per tank is about the same in the UK as a percentage depreciation, the exception to the rule is the Matorro King Tiger which sells for more than new price second hand. Most likely different for the USas it is a different market.

The Tamiya/HL argument is rather pointless, it's like comparing apples to oranges and at a market level the companies and products don't compete with each other.