For a beginning pilot a cowl is just something else to break on the inevitable 'less than perfect' landing. A cowl adds complexity to the fueling and defueling of the plane, as you have experienced. A typical trainer style plane has an easily accessible engine with only two fuel lines.

I just looked at the plane on the Horizon web site. Their words: "If you’re tired of the ole’ trainer and ready to take the next step, Seagull’s extremely affordable PC-9 40 is a great way to go. This .40 powered sport scale rendition of the famous Swiss turboprop military trainer has more than enough maneuverability to start exploring basic aerobatics, but enough stability so you won’t sweat the landings."

With the right instructor you can learn to fly using almost any plane. But, the learning curve would be a lot shorter with a 'primary trainer' versus a somewhat intermediate plane.

The plane I'm holding is a Sig Astro Hog. My brother took one of these to Wyoming in late may to introduce a nephew to flying. The plane is a gentle flyer but he realized it wasn't a good trainer after all. He has picked up a traditional trainer for a future trip.