If you have the time build the kit. Not much difference in $$ but you will gain in experience.

If/when you crash it usually only costs less than $20 to rebuild. The expense comes when you bang up your engine or radio equipment. As long as you gather up all the little pieces they fit back together like a jigsaw puzzle. If some of the pieces are really mangled or lost it only takes a little wood to cut a new one. Some reinforcement may be necessary in critical areas but usually the glue joint is stronger than the wood. It will break in a different place the next time Add a little covering and you're back in business.