Lenses are a longterm investment... camera bodies are not.
There are so many different camera bodies on the market with even a $600 camera body a photographer can produce a brilliant image. With the advances in sensor technologies and image processors, really any mid-range DSLR can produce an amazing photo.
I think what matters more than the camera body is the actually the lens that you put in front of the camera body. The lens is the cameras eye, you really want to have 20/20 vision instead of less than perfect vision. So spend your photography budget on quality glass..
Investing in high end lens will yield a better return on your photographic investment, because as fast as you buy a new camera body. A camera company could come out with a newer model body tomorrow, but they don't tend to update their lenses as fast.
This is why I would recommend putting the bulk of your photographic monies towards buying quality glass.