Zman,
You can't go wrong with a bobcat, a bobcat xl, or even a hotspot if you can find one. They are all reasonably priced models on the used market. The hotspot was one of the go to planes for people learning to fly way back when. They are built strong, can take a beating, and are fast as hell also with a bigger turbine. Put a gyro on it and it becomes more of a *****cat on landings. They may not be able to knife edge (if that's your thing) but it is a good plane. The bobcats will do every maneuver that a T1 can do and do it well. Check the classifieds you can always find a good deal there.

Patrick