Matty, lemme just say first that getting an iphone would be the best decision you would ever make. You MUST at some point get one!
I understand you don't wanna play full price, so a possible alternative might be to switch providers. There are a lotta rumors circulating that Verizon is going to get a version of the iphone for the CDMA network. There was this report from USA today yesterday...
AFP: Verizon, Apple discussing iPhone: USA Today
I don't what you think of AT&T but the only reason i switched from Verizon (after many years) was because of the iphone. Otherwise, i loved their service.