Chad - If you are joining a club and presumably going to get help from their instructors, why not get with their instructionsl staff and determine what type of plane you need. I believe you need a trainer of some sort but not necessarily for a long period. Someone in the club may have a used trainer for sale cheap.
Make a point of going to the field this weekend, meet the members and some of the instructors and ask for some advice. And PLEASE LISTEN for a change.