I also have to agree that Sim time can be very helpfull in the learnig process and agree that if you can spend time on one, you should. The one thing that folks have missed in this post is that after the time on the sim the time with an instructor will teach you the things the sim CAN'T ie SAFETY, starting, tuning, radio checks, proper taxing, where's the pattern, how to set up an approach etc etc etc. I think by now you get my point.. Using both sure won't hurt.
A little negative comment : I've seen a few people come out to fly that had spent a lot of time on a sim and they did great controlling the plane but either had all kinds of problems or caused all kinds of problems. Most of this could have been more enjoyable for everyone if they had just spent more time with an instructor. The sim doesn't inform you about the use of the FREQ. board does it????? And if you blow it there --- you could be buying a very expensive pile of junk. ENJOY !!! RED