As someone who's owned an online electronics company that sold soldering irons and who's done a LOT of soldering, I'd say if you can afford $100, buy this:
http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=209
I have 2 of them.
If that's too rich for you, get this:
http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=207
I have one of these too (in the toolbox).
The station has adjustable temperature (which you'll never adjust) and a nice stand to hold th iron. It's heats up in seconds and is excellent quality and a very good price. The second one is also very good -just without the adjustability and stand.
Those links are to a Calgary company. Good people, reasonable shipping. It's worth noting that they also sell a whole range of microcontrollers and their development tools, like the Arduino -if you're inclined to go that route.