Printers and paper

Okay folks, some help required.

I am thinking about buying a new printer so that I can start to print off some of my own images. What I need to know are:
a) what is the best printer to buy. I am looking at an A3 one, and think that Willie and Gordon both have Epson's. Are these recommended? Does anyone else have something different?
b) what is the best paper to buy for printing and does this vary depending on the printer?
c) does printring your own shots work out cheaper than using a print house like Loxley or Jessops?

I know that there is the club one too, so maybe I could borrow that first to see how I get on. Would I need to calibrate it to my own pc first for the best results?

Cheers

Graham