Keep in mind a good tripod that meets your needs will outlast several cameras, so possibly budget a little more time and I hate to say it but cash to this category. Here's a few thought to spearhead your research:
Time-lapse tutorial video covering interval and exposure basics including: Avoiding time-lapse flicker with manual mode, setting a time-lapse interval, creating motion blur, and priority mode shooting. I hope you find it helpful and would love to hear your feedback.