I'd grab a 3340 and start with it, and maybe down the line search out a good 1" eight-track.
Or, consider getting a good two-track to record drums, dump that digital, and continue in digital.
As for the Fostex/Tascam 8/16s, they're fun, but too many tracks crammed on small tape ...noise reduction is used to compensate, and sounds weird.
I'd try the two-track idea first, borrow a deck, give it a try.