I would first think how you want to output your images - that will define what you need from the sensor. So, if it is only web and small prints (less than A4), a 6MP sensor is loads of resolution. If it's A3+ prints, display boards, large files for demanding stock libraries, then you may need rather more.
Second - what do you need in terms of frame rate and autofocus. In other words, are you going to do a lot of fast action shooting or not. If not, then you dont need 9fps and blisteringly fast AF.
Third - metering. Do you need the selectiveness of spot metering to accurately expose the chosen part of the frame? Or will matrix metering do?
Fourth - ISO range (the sensitivity to light of the sensor; the higher the number the more sensitive, so less light needed to make an image). Do you really need iso 50-12800?
Fifth - the body. Does it need to be tank-like and environmentally sealed to keep it working in dust storms, sub-zero blizzards, floods and waves? Or will something a bit more mainstream do? Are the controls and menues in the right place and easy to use for you. Does it feel good in your hand.
All that should give you a spec for the body, so once you have that, look around for secondhand bodies that do all that you need.
Then consider the lenses. Buy the best lenses you can afford - again think about secondhand glass. Good glass really makes a difference to image quality, much more so than the differences between most bodies. Minolta (now Sony, I think) had excellent backwards compatibility and some of their old lenses are very good indeed and also cheap these days.
Also consider what focal ranges you are likely to use, for what sort of subject, and how much kit you are really going to want to carry around with you. If you dont know the answers yet, buy a good quality lens with a wide zoom range, until you get to know where your interests lie.
You are quite likely to want to change your camera body as you do more photography and discover what you are most interested in, the same goes for lenses too, although the tendency there is to add rather than replace for most people. These days, there are a lot of good systems around - it's not just canon or nikon - and remember third party lenses too.
Other items that will probably come to be essential are a tripod and head, possibly filters, a flash system...
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