Hey Pappas3278, Here's what I've learned in the past few years since I got back into vinyl.
First, decide if you want a semi-automatic Thorens -- one that shuts off and lifts the arm at the end of a side. Some people rip 'em, but for people like me (who sometimes fall asleep while listening, or get called away to stop the kids from setting each other on fire) this feature is a necessity.
If you want this feature, the TD-145 is good; it's a TD-160 with the auto-off added. The TD-147 is supposedly better; it's a TD-165 with auto-off added. The TD-126 is supposedly even better. A later model is the TD-320, which I have and which I think is great. It'll cost $200-250 on ebay.
If you want a manual table, the TD-160 is good and the most common model you'll find. The TD-165 is supposed to be better. The TD-316 and TD-318 are newer models (manual versions of the TD-320) and they have heavy plinths and decent arms.
When I first looked at getting back to vinyl, a local audio guy told me I'd get more bang for my buck with the newer TD-3xx models then the older TD-12x or TD-16x models. He also happened to think the TD-3xx series were better tables. I trusted him and kept my eye out for the 320. It's been great. In the past 2 years I've started a couple of threads here and on a'gon asking how I might move up the food-chain of semi-automatic tables. DDarch here has suggested the TD-126, although he hasn't heard a TD-320. On a'gon, the consensus, although there wasn't much feedback, was that I may already have as good a semi-auto model as was made. (Of course, the responders made sure to put me in my place for wanting so un-audiophile feature as semi-auto!)
Good luck on your search.