what is your target platform? I would go with vs 2005. it rules. then again, I target the 2.0 mfc. 2003 targets 1.1.
2008 targets 3.0
borland is basically dead. they are writing everything (jbuilder included) into eclipse. you could always wrap eclipse around g++ or cpp and not run afoul of laws.
You can download the Visual Studio 2005 Express right from MS's website along with their other *Express* development packages (C#, J++, etc...). So go look for them over at microsoft, sorry don't have URL handy.