Stay away from the Sony LD players. Horrible reliability problems. Panasonic made some good ones though. If you find an LX-600, pick it up. I've heard some say it's equal to the Pioneer players, and it's supposedly built like a tank.
Be careful with ebay. Lots of junk on there. LD players also break very easily during shipping if they're not packed well, and most used decks don't include the original box.
I'm also looking for an LD player myself. I had a CLD-79 and an LD-S9 (imported from Japan, beautiful machine). Both bought new, both immaculate. Sold them a couple years back and have regretted it ever since. Someday I'll replace the LD-S9, but funds are too tight right now for that. I sometimes dream of getting an HLD-X9, also a Japanese import, but they run anywhere from $2500 to $5000 depending on condition. They're special because they use a much more advanced laser pickup than traditional LD players, making them capable of seeing through rot and other disc problems.
I was hoping to have an LD player by the time the Star Wars DVDs hit the shelves so I could watch my THX "faces" LDs, which I kept after selling my LD players, but I haven't found what I'm looking for yet. I've sworn not to purchase the DVDs, but a small part of me hopes my fiance secretly buys them for me just so I can get my Star Wars fix. I watched AOTC a couple weeks back. What a poor excuse for Star Wars the prequels are. Unsatisfying in so many ways.
Good luck in your search.