Coffee is a requisite life-support component to my day. I recommend the Capresso MT500. My review is on Coffee Geek. It's a better carafe than the Zoji or the Cuisinart, though the lid requires a little attention. The holy grail, the Technivorm, has something of a cult following. Avoid ANY coffee maker that uses a hot plate unless you are fond of scorched coffee.
I roast my own coffee - it's easy, and inexpensive unless you get fixated on roasting machines.
The whirly-blade grinder can be improved on, but unless you want to use a hand grinder (forged, and maybe marked "Made in Germany" for starters - it'll be about $35 if you shop a little on ebay), go for the Capresso Infinity, or plan on reading a ream of reviews and make a choice.
Really good coffee is a startling experience for the folks who've been Folgers & Mr. Coffee for years and years.
Yep, a french press and a hand grinder and some fresh beans gets you in the game. A Bodum Columbia 12-cup runs about $45, a top quality Zass grinder (Item #180084409823) goes for $62, delivered from Germany, and good beans from Intelligentsia (one of several truly outstanding coffee companies) House Blend is $10.95 a pound.
YMMV.
(but life is waaaay too brief to drink lousy coffee. . .)