[Inthewoods]

If you're just looking to record your own band you might get by with the 003 "rack+" which is the 003 rack with 8 mic inputs/preamps. If you need more inputs than 8 then add on using the ADAT optical connection of the 003....so buy more converters (with preamps) that have an ADAT output. I think this is a better way to go than buying a cheap mixer to submix to get everything down to 8 inputs.
Now if you start with a 003 and a really nice stereo preamp (ie. think $800+ per channel) I think you can potentially make some great recordings. Mix it all in PT. Your money will go farther (sound quality for the dollar) on plug-ins than analog outboard eq and compression. So it's much better to buy a $200 plug-in than a $200 analog compressor. I think the stock PT plug-ins are decent though.
If money's no object then it's another story...