You're by far way ahead of someone who has never used a sim. It has saved you money that you don't even know. As stated, its nothing like the real thing, but I think someone has a greater advantage by practicing on a sim. I have the tower hobbies 60 trainer, works fine for me. You'll get a lot of opinions. I read most guys still use their trainer when they just want to put around. I would imagine most trainers are pretty much the same. If you go for a kit, though, by a sig. There's also vast opinions on that, but I think a kit is better because you get to see how everything goes together. Plus I think its just plain fun, but some people hate to build, personal prefrence I guess.
Joe