There is always a fourth choice.. if you are so inclined. You may not know if he is ready or even wants to fly RC. A good alternate would be to get him a gift certificate from Tower, or even your local hobby shop, and let him decide what to get. Tell him you thought he may like flying RC and include all of what people above have said (cost of joining the AMA and a club plus the cost of the aircraft and the necessary accessories, although he is probably well on his way if he races RC cars).

Just a little food for thought. I usually get a gift cert from my girlfriend because she does not understand the hobby and does not care to understand.. she has her hobbies and I have mine. She loves to watch, but that's about as far as it gets.

Good luck with that.

DS.