If you decide you just want to do some experimenting, you might not have to buy a new router/AP to do that.
Do you have an old Broadcom-based router lying around?
Some of the better free, open source firmware such as FreshTomato and DD-WRT enable a router to act as a wireless client. If you start with a good used router that has external antennae, you might just be able to use that kind of setup.