That's an excellent thought.

Noone should believe that they are the way to learn to fly exclusive of using a GOOD instructor. And you're right, they're great for learning maneuvers. Matter of fact, I've setup my sim with the airplanes I'm flying at the field, and I practice even the simple things. I turn up the turbulence, set the wind like it is predicted to be "tomorrow" (usually a crosswind), and practice at home the night before. I've learned to do short field landing, where you cross up the rudder/ailerons to the point that I have more confidence when I try it at the field. No way have I learned to do that perfectly, but with more real time on the sticks at the field I expect to be better sooner thanks to the sim.