Trying not to break the bank and get a real nice 3D trainner seem like the 2 biggest issues with starting 3D flying. One other for me is ease of either building and or repairing. Not to say that I wouldnt go with electrics they are just not my thing. I managed to find a real good RTF deal on RCU for my first 3D plane and it was only 300 and I mean RTF. servos installed pull pull rudder and elevator and a YS .63 all I did was install my receiver and battery and I was good to go. I bought a morris Knife, set it up with spoilerons and flaperons and it is wicked. loops inside its own axis. blinding rolls hovers at 1/3 throttle with a 13x4w prop I love it very very forgiving and absolutly no bad habits. lands like a heli. The arf version is pricey but like I said nothing beats an RTF deal on RCU. If you dump it then your out only the money and not hours of labor in buliding as well. IMO thats the way to go. however there is the risk of buying someone elses problems but if they are good sellers and have ratings that shouldnt be an issue. Good luck