Isn't that rather like letting the tail wag the dog? (I'm sure you've thought this over, so I don't know what I'm talking about :-) )
Having the best router chosen on its own merits is what is important, flexibility good design, security and a strong firewall function (assuming it is a firewall), and good gigabit switches and wireless access points cost peanuts these days.
If it is a modem/router getting the modem but right or having a separate modem is absolutely crucial, because as you know crap modem means slowness and/or unreliability and general nightmare.
But again, you know all this. If you'd like to save some money, eBay is your friend, and minimising the total number of boxes (modem + router + firewall + WAP + LAN switch) is not the way to make it easy to find the best in all departments.
Others reading this might not know all the basics. So no insult to your intelligence meant.