ORIGINAL: MTK
IMO, novices need any reliable hardware that will allow as much flight time as possible with minimal break downs. Novices need stick time, that's it!
Nothing wrong with your Vanquish...fly it till it dies and then buy another one and fly it until it dies
I couldn't agree with this more. As a newer pattern pilot, the biggest mistakes I've made are not seeking proven, reliable equipment. I've experimented, taken chances, tried new things, and it mostly has resulted in a lot of extra down time, and subsequent cost of buying what I should have bought the first time around.
If I could talk to myself 3 years ago, I'd say to keep the Venus, lose the pump, stick with the OS, and fly the airplane until it wears out.