Some good choices for beginning armor are:
Tamiya M4A3 Sherman (skip the side armor: they're inaccurate)
Tamiya Pz III ausf L
Tamiya Cromwell
DML Panther A or D (but has individual track links, though)
Tamiya Panther ausf G (several variants)
Tamiya Tiger I, Afrika or Early Production
Tamiya Tiger II (either new molds)
Tamiya 3.7cm flak Mobelwagen
Skybow Dodge WC 52/53 (delicate parts but nice)
Academy M-12 SPG
Tamiya M26 Pershing
Tamiya T-55 Soviet MBT
DML T-34/85 (indy links)
DML ISU 122/152 series (indy links)
Good list. I'm sure others will give their thoughts, too.