I say get an ARF most of the trainers that are out there are very good. I have had about 5 ARF planes and have had no trouble with them at all. They are built as good ar better than I could build them. I still think the best thing you could do is visit your local club. Someone there will have a used trainer that you can get cheap. We have trainers come up for sale all of the time. I just sold a new tower trainer 60 size plane that I got in a trade. I sold the plane ready to fly with a Thunder Tigre 61 and an airtronics 6 channel radio for 200 dollars. Club swap meets are great places to get stuff. I got a 7 channel Futaba radio for 25.00 at one. It was a older radio but came with everything plus 8 servo's. I still use it today. Do yourself a favor and visit a club.

Rick