I'm with "buying a used one" idea. I bought a FlightStar 40 with an OS 40FP, S148 servos, and a gold labled Futaba AM receiver and transmitter all for $100. The thing flew and ran perfectly. My first few solos I damaged it a little bit but repaired it and it was back up in the air the next day. It's true that you will out grow it quickly. I gutted mine and put all the stuff on a fun fly (Chief Aircraft Fun Air 3D).

You might even try bypassing the trainer and just get a H9 Ultra Stick 40 or a stable/fun low wing like a Sig 4 star. Put them on low rates and they fly more stable than any trainer. Take off and landings will be a breeze. The wind won't blow you all over the place like a trainer. It's true that some instructors at my field don't do so well on trainers, especially on windy days. Trainers tend to eat up engine power with the drag of that flat bottom in high winds. Some have flown away and never returned (mine almost did a few times).

Joe