That price is right. Unfortunately, they had a couple increases in kit prices in the last couple years. Much of it is due to balsa prices rising due to windmill blades.
Get started on that one, and then hit some RC swap meets. The same kit can be had for $100 NIB. I got mine for $50 a cpl years ago. Swap meets are hands-down best for deals.
Get there 30 minutes early! The sellers are setting up, and it's common to see some of the best deals happen in the parking lot lol. I had a Saito 80 & 65 given to me at the end of a swap meet. They were in pieces in coffee cans immersed in ATF, and the seller was getting out of the hobby. Reassembled them and they flew great.