I think the "intermediate" or "deluxe" kits make a better starting place than the basic kits if you can afford it. They don't cost that much more. However, the basic kit is definitely serviceable.
The
Midwest Intermediate kit with Better Bottles is a nice one. Austin Homebrew and Northern Brewer have some nice deluxe kits too. AHS and Midwest kits are pretty comparable. Be sure to factor in shipping costs.
I like the three-piece airlocks better for primary fermentation, and the S-curve locks for conditioning (aka "secondary").
I suggest you spring for an autosiphon if the kit you buy doesn't include one.
If given a choice between glass carboys and plastic (PET) Better Bottles, I'd opt for the latter. There are pros and cons, but now that the glass carboy factory in Mexico has shut down, the glass carboys imported from Italy cost more than the Better Bottles, so you'll save with the PET BBs. And glass is prone to breakage if you are not very careful, and sometimes even if you are.
You are also going to need a minimum of a 16 quart pot, but 20 quart is much better, for extract brewing. Long term if you stick with brewing, you're going to want an 8 to 10 gallon pot so you can do full boils, but that tends to be an expensive item and there are a number of important items to consider before you take that step, so just go with an inexpensive 20 qt pot to start.
Other than that, all the basic and intermediate or deluxe kits from the major vendors are pretty comparable, so go with your total cost including shipping (and an autosiphon).
