I have a 9000ED, and I have to say it is really very good - it can out-perform many films, so there is little reason for improving things. It is quite possible an equivalent Imacon may be a bit better in some respects, but the difference is not as great as the price difference would suggest - and you won't see it anyway until your technique is near-perfect on both. The standard software, however, definitely does not do the Nikon justice - I'm now using VueScan which seems to realise the scanner's potential rather better (and works better with my brain, too).
It has become clear that Nikon ceased production well before actual demand was satisfied, and the second-hand market is therefore very strong - that inevitably means that prices for good-condition used items are high, and may well be increasing. That may also mean, however, that you might get your money back when you come to sell it! FWIW: I paid £2000 (GBP) for mine second-hand in VGC with a 6-month warranty a little over a year ago, which is equivalent to around $3000 (USD) on current exchange rates. I thought that was quite expensive, but prices seem higher now, if anything.
