RE: Best Second (But ARF)
I have always recommended the Great Planes Super Sportster, which makes a good second plane (it was my second). I recently bought a 4* 40 because so many people have been recommending them, and I now agree that it too would be a good second plane.
The 4* doesn't handle wind quite as well as the sportster, but it flys equally well. (The Sportster ARF is about $140 now, the 4* is somewaht less.) These are both tail draggers.
I also recently got to fly a Goldberg Tiger 2 and found that to be an excellent flying plane, and I'd be willing to recommend it as a second too. Handles wind as well as the Sportster, and lands a bit faster than the 4*, but still a good choice. I just saw the Tiger 2 ARF at Tower for $99. The Tiger has tricycle gear.
Good luck,
Dennis-