I too whole heartedly recommend the kit. You have all winter, and yes, there will be added expenses involved, but you can buy the covering, wheels, tank etc. over the next few months after the wife has gotten over the shock of the initial investment.

Beginner kits ARE much easier to build. That's not to say you won't make a mistake. Hell, I've been building for 40 years and I still make several mistakes per kit. But you learn how to correct them. You also learn how to build. Which will come in handy when the inevitable mishap... haps.

One more nice thing about building... It gives you all winter to dream about flying it!