For your use, and minimal cost, I'd think the TTS-1 would be better than Coyote or other (fairly) inexpensive ones.

http://www.pgmusic.com/musiccreator.htm

Whether you decide to try Cakewalk as a DAW is up to you, but for the cost you get the synth too.
Not sure if you can find it for less $$ elsewhere, didn't check. That's up to your self-proclaimed 'tight wad' side. <grin>

Anyway, I think it'll work better for your style than most others at this cost.

In RB you can easily use many different synths, so if you like Drums 'A' from one synth and piano 'B' from another you can have both. (or many more)

As far as sound quality and control, I find hardware better, but way more expensive.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!