Actually building a trainer is not a bad idea at all.
I do not have any personal experience with this one
Goldberg Falcon III Trainer $74.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDJB5&P=0
but Goldberg is generally well respected as a brand and if you want to you can transfer the engine and electronics from your RTF when you get it finished. Being a trainer it should be easy to build, having a semi-symetrical wing should make it an "advanced" trainer.
I am just finishing up a PT-60 for my brother which I have modified into a tail dragger, it has been fun.