The Lifelike range
Luis,
Lifelike makes pretty good locos. One or two of them are particularly good, especially the SW9/1200.
The GP 18 is a high nose 4-axle beast which looks and runs well, and the GP38 (low nose and also 4-axle) is in the same class of looks/performance. They are excellent value for money considering other manufacturers are hiking their prices. This I presume will put more business to Lifelike and therefore their models are likely to get even better.
I would hazard a guess and say that Lifelike is the N gauge equivelant of the HO Athearn.
If funds are real tight for you, I would suggest your first loco be a Lifelike SW9/1200. I doubt you will ever regret getting it.
Errol