Over and above the previous suggestions, I love Grammostola pulchripes 'Chaco Golden Knee' as a starter cause it's beautiful, very peaceful, doesn't flick and get's very big (although this takes forever).

I'd go with Brachypelma vagans (Mexican Red Rump), they are docile and relatively fast growers. If you have patience as a virtue you'll be able to enjoy the slower growing species but if you're like me a t has to grow from SS to XXXL in a year! :silly:

Anyway, I think the best would be to start with one from everyone's suggestions and then you can give us an opinion after a year based on your experience!
C'mon, do it for the hobby!!

Visser suggested - Grammostola pulchra
Splurge said - Lasiodora parahybana
Nortinus advised - Any Grammostola/Brachypelma
Legion stands firm - Brachypelma smithi
Spinnerkop is in favour of - Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Taki loves - Grammostola pulchripes

So there is your list, now go shopping! :laugh:

@Nita if you need any more convincing after frootbat's post then i don't know

Any of the T's listed in that list will be a good starter. <--- I have 4 of them already

Start with any of the ones on Frootbat's list but keep the list, because within no time after you got your first T, you are gonna want to get more. And before you know it you will have plenty T's!

Acanthoscurria geniculata: Gets big, grows fast, lives long, are very beautiful and not too aggressive. And I think slings are underprised at the moment:)

Yeah I got a A.geniculata sling from Fangs a month ago! And I think Mammon might also have, not sure: www.the-spider-shop.co.za
You will get a healty specimen for a good price from them.